Former Pistons Pick Killian Hayes’ Next Move Remains Quiet

What's next for Killian Hayes?

The Detroit Pistons tried to do what they could to make it work with their former seventh-overall pick, Killian Hayes. 

When Detroit took a gamble and selected the 19-year-old, who went pro overseas, it was clear it might take some time for Hayes to get acclimated with NBA play.

In his rookie effort, Hayes averaged 26 minutes on the court in 26 games. He produced an average of seven points, three rebounds, and five assists while shooting just 35 percent from the field.

Fast forward to his fourth NBA season, Hayes hadn’t improved much for Detroit. In 42 games, he averaged seven points, three rebounds, and five assists. From the field, he knocked down just 41 percent of his shots while shooting slightly above his career average from beyond the arc, draining 30 percent of his threes.

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As frustrating as it was for Pistons fans to watch Monty Williams attempt to make it work with the former seventh-overall selection, the Pistons finally knew the answer to their significant question, which was whether Hayes had a real future in the Motor City or not.

Considering Hayes generated no trade interest at the deadline, the Pistons cut ties with their former selection without making a deal. A couple of weeks following the day he was waived, Hayes’ next move is yet to be determined.

Are There Any Suitors?

A few publications have floated around the idea of Hayes potentially joining multiple organizations that might be interested in potentially taking a low-risk gamble on Hayes.

As far as reports about teams actually showing interest in Hayes go, everything has been quiet on that front, signaling that the lack of trade interest in Hayes has leaked over into the free agency market.

At 22 years old, Hayes is a very young prospect with a ton of NBA experience under his belt. Over the past four years, he has 210 games played, along with 145 starts. While he lacks playoff experience, which likely makes it difficult for a contender to give him a look, Hayes could be a player a rebuilding franchise might be willing to bring on to see if they can develop him the way the Pistons couldn’t.

Still, Hayes is a tough sell at this point in his career. As he’s averaged over 25 minutes on the court since debuting with the Pistons, the veteran guard has averaged eight points and five assists. His shooting range has proven to be extremely limited, and he’s posted a high turnover rate each season since joining the Pistons’ backcourt.