The Detroit Pistons have released guard Killian Hayes, according to reports.
Hayes, the #7 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, had failed to live up to expectations in his three and a half seasons with the team.
Background on Killian Hayes
Hayes was selected by the Pistons after an impressive season playing professionally in France. At 6’5″ (1.95m) with a 6’8″ (2.03m) wingspan, Hayes drew comparisons to fellow French guard Evan Fournier due to his craftiness and court vision.
The Pistons saw Hayes as a building block for their rebuild, hoping he could be the lead guard to pair with the other young players they were accumulating.
However, Hayes struggled mightily in his rookie season, averaging just 6.8 points per game on 35.3% shooting from the field and 28.6% from three.
Sophomore Struggles
Hayes showed small signs of improvement in his second season, but still shot under 40% from the field with only 28 made threes on the year.
While his playmaking and defense earned praise, his lack of scoring punch and shaky jumper made him a poor fit next to rising star Cade Cunningham.
This season, Hayes lost his starting spot to rookie Jaden Ivey and began coming off the bench. With other young guards like Ivey and Marcus Sasser needing minutes, Hayes was squeezed out of the rotation for long stretches.
No Trade Partners Emerge
Recognizing that Hayes did not fit their timeline, the Pistons shopped him ahead of the trade deadline.
However, his struggles and lack of development gave teams pause about his potential. With no trade offers materializing, Pistons ultimately decided to cut ties.
The Pistons will eat the remaining money on Hayes‘ rookie deal as they prioritize giving minutes to Ivey, Cunningham, Sasser and others.
Still just 21 years old, Hayes will look to latch on with another team to revive his career.
What Went Wrong for Hayes in Detroit
There were a few key factors that led to Hayes failing to make an impact with the Pistons:
- Inconsistent shooting – Hayes simply could not shoot at an efficient level, hurting the team’s spacing
- Passiveness – Often deferring to others, Hayes did not show the aggressiveness required of a lead guard
- Bad injury luck – An early hip injury seemed to set Hayes back as a rookie
- Poor roster construction – Cunningham‘s arrival gave the Pistons another ball-dominant guard
What This Means for Detroit
Releasing Hayes gives the Pistons clarity with their roster as they continue their rebuild around Cunningham and other young pieces.
Hayes‘ minutes and opportunities can now go to guards like Ivey, Sasser, and Killian Tillie.
Pistons will also gain financial flexibility, as Hayes was owed over $7 million next season. That money can now be used to upgrade other areas of need this offseason.
Finally, not having to force-feed Hayes minutes allows coach Monty Williams to focus on developing players that fit the team’s timeline and style.
Final Analysis
The Killian Hayes era in Pistons comes to an underwhelming end just three and a half seasons after he was selected 7th overall. His lack of development into a reliable offensive player made him an awkward fit for a rebuilding squad.
Still, releasing Hayes is a disappointing outcome for a lottery pick that was hoped to be a core piece. Pistons struck out trying to find their lead guard of the future.
Time will tell whether passing on other playmakers like Tyrese Haliburton will come back to haunt them.
For now, Pistons is in full player development mode while acquiring assets to turn things around. The release of Killian Hayes marks a recognition that he wasn’t going to factor into the team’s long-term plans.
Starting over at point guard, the Pistons will cast their lot with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey to lead them into the future.
Sources:
theathletic.com/5261144/2024/02/08/killian-hayes-pistons-release/
www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2024/02/08/pistons-release-former-first-round-pick-killian-hayes/
www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/pistons_release_killian_hayes_after_failing_to_find_trade_partner/s1_17113_39936674
