Just hours before the NBA Trade Deadline, the Detroit Pistons announced the release of Killian Hayes. The former seventh overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Hayes, once heralded as a promising prospect. He has struggled to live up to expectations during his time with the Pistons, ultimately leading to his departure.
Despite high hopes for his development, Hayes failed to establish a reliable jump shot. He has accrued a lackluster career three-point shooting percentage of 27 percent. This deficiency, among others, has led to widespread disappointment in his performance on the court.
Throughout the current season, Hayes started in 31 games (appeared in 42) for the Pistons, averaging 24 minutes per game. Questions have been raised regarding Coach Monty Williams’ decision to prioritize Hayes’ playing time over other prospects such as Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Marcus Sasser, who require crucial development opportunities.
The Pistons, who currently boast the worst record in the league, have faced scrutiny over their handling of Hayes and their overall performance under Coach Williams, who signed a substantial $72 million deal last offseason to lead the team. Several questionable decisions have left fans perplexed — primarily driven by the lack of opportunities for Ivey and Thompson — especially given the team’s struggles on the court.
Despite his underwhelming stint with the Pistons, Hayes, at just 22 years old, still possesses potential and playmaking abilities. Averaging 4.9 assists per game with a low turnover rate of 1.2 per game this season, he may find a new opportunity with a team better equipped to nurture his talents and facilitate his development.
