Soon to be free agent Hayes wants to return to Rockets

Of the labels Chuck Hayes has carried — from undrafted free agent to the NBA's shortest-ever starting center to the Rockets' defensive ace - the next description will go a long way toward determining his future.

He will soon be the only free agent playing for the Rockets. Yet even as the Rockets continue their search for a center to replace him, Hayes heads into the final two games of his sixth season as comfortable with the latest label as he was with the others.

"My whole career I've been an underdog," Hayes, 27, said. "If they bring in more bigs and I come back, I guess it's a dogfight. I have no problem fighting for the bone."

But he is certain he wants to be back with the Rockets. A player who has gone from cut as a rookie to team captain going to dinner with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, Hayes has never been more comfortable with his game or place with his team.

"I want to be here," Hayes said. "This is home for me. This has been home for me for six years. Houston is all I know. Houston is all I want to know."

Though the Rockets have made no secret about their desire to find a center taller than their shooting guard, Hayes has made a strong case for a place in the mix.

At power forward and center, they have Luis Scola, Patrick Patterson, Brad Miller and Jordan Hill signed. They'll likely chase a center in free agency and expect to have three draft picks in the top 40.

"The truth of the matter is I am only 6-6," Hayes said. "They will need some size, a big guy to play significant minutes. They have to do what they have to do. My whole life I've had to beat the odds. The past couple years, I have. "

Hayes' defensive abilities and offensive improvement have kept him in the Rockets' plans.

"For sure Chuck fits in," general manager Daryl Morey said. "We're hoping to bring him back. Obviously, he's (going to be) a free agent. It's going to be up to him where he goes. We're excited to work to bring him back."