The Detroit Pistons have parted ways with one of their former lottery picks, as they waived point guard Killian Hayes on Thursday. Hayes, who was selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, failed to live up to the expectations in his three and a half seasons with the Pistons.
Hayes never found his groove in Detroit
Hayes was a highly touted prospect coming out of France, where he played professionally since he was 16 years old. He was praised for his playmaking, vision, and defensive potential, and was compared to players like D’Angelo Russell and Manu Ginobili. However, he struggled to adjust to the NBA game, especially with his shooting and decision-making.
Hayes suffered a hip injury in his seventh game as a rookie, which sidelined him for three months. He returned to action in March 2021, but showed little improvement in his performance. He averaged 6.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 turnovers per game, while shooting 35.3% from the field and 27.8% from the three-point line in his first season.
Hayes started the 2023-24 season as the Pistons’ starting point guard, but was soon benched in favor of Jaden Ivey, the No. 9 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Ivey, who was a star at Purdue, quickly outshone Hayes with his scoring, athleticism, and energy. Hayes was relegated to a backup role, where he continued to struggle with his efficiency and confidence. He averaged 2.6 points on 29.6% shooting in 11 games as a reserve, before being waived by the Pistons.
Pistons make several moves at the trade deadline
The Pistons, who are in the midst of a historic losing streak, were one of the most active teams at the trade deadline. They made several moves to clear cap space, acquire draft picks, and rebuild their roster. Some of the notable transactions they made include:
- Trading Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks to the New York Knicks for a 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick
- Trading Monte Morris to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 second-round pick
- Acquiring Danuel House and a 2024 second-round pick from the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2025 second-round pick
- Waiving Joe Harris, who was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal involving the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets
The Pistons also reportedly plan to waive House, along with Hayes, to create roster spots for their new additions. The Pistons currently have the worst record in the NBA, with a 1-35 mark. They have lost 28 consecutive games, which is the longest losing streak in NBA history.
Hayes’ future in the NBA is uncertain
Hayes, who is still only 22 years old, will now enter the free agency market, where he will hope to find a new team that can give him a fresh start. He still has some potential as a point guard, but he will need to improve his shooting, ball-handling, and confidence to succeed in the NBA.
Hayes was one of the several point guards who were drafted in the top 10 in 2020, along with LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Kira Lewis Jr., and Cole Anthony. Among them, Hayes has been the least productive and the most disappointing. He will have to prove himself as a viable NBA player, or risk being labeled as a bust.
