Killian Hayes Needs To Improve Distance Shooting

Killian Hayes showed flashes of being beyond serviceable in the NBA down the stretch last year but he still needs to improve as a shooter.

The first two seasons of play for Detroit Pistons point guard Killian Hayes has been underwhelming.

Though it might feel like forever ago, the French point guard was drafted just 19 months ago (Nov. 2020) and has shown flashes of being both a capable scorer and playmaker.

Hayes averaged 7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1. 2 steals this past season for the Detroit Pistons. He did some really nice things, but wasn't quite consistent enough to be an everyday player.

Part of the inconsistency from Hayes includes him not being able to remain fully healthy. In his first season, Hayes played in 26 out of the shortened 72-game season due to a hip injury that kept him out for the majority of the season. This past season for Detroit, Hayes improved by playing in 66 games. In total, the point guard has been able to play 59% of his games in his first two seasons.

The playmaking guard has shown he is capable of getting to the basket and setting up his teammates, but his shooting efficiency has been below average.

Hayes is shooting 37% from the field and 26% from three in his first two seasons, which obviously shows that he needs to use this offseason to work on his shooting. Adding a consistent three-point shot to his game will be good for Hayes as a player and will also help the Pistons offense in general. If Hayes can be a threat as a spot-up shooter, it would open up more of his game and create better floor spacing for the Pistons.

Cade Cunningham, Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey and whoever will be selected with the fifth pick in 2022 NBA Draft will each have the ball in their hands. When Hayes is playing off the ball, being able to knock down an open three will spark the offense.

In his best statistical game against the Oklahoma City Thunder last April, Hayes put up 26 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals. The stat line is great, but he shot just 2-of-9 from three. In a league where the three-point shot is king, Hayes only made 44 out of 167 three-point field goals.

If Hayes is able to develop into an average shooter in the league, the future will be bright for the 20 year-old Frenchmen.