Detroit Pistons: The Pistons aren’t ready for Killian Hayes’ passing

It would be hard to say that Killian Hayes‘ return to the Detroit Pistons was a success.

The Pistons got destroyed by the New York Knicks in a game in which they were down by 47 points. Yikes.

Killian Hayes didn’t score a point, but did add five rebounds and three assists.

But two things became abundantly clear as the game went on:

• Killian Hayes is the best passer on the Pistons
• His Pistons’ teammates aren’t ready for it

Hayes had a couple of brilliant passes in the game, including this one handed laser that threaded the needle and led to a fast break dunk.

His shooting and all-around game need work, but Hayes has incredible court vision and can make passes that many in the NBA cannot.

The question is whether his teammates are ready.

Detroit Pistons: The Pistons need scoring

Killian Hayes finished the game with three assists but I counted at least six other times (it could have been more) when he set teammates up for wide-open shots that they did not make.

Obviously they are not going to hit them all, but Hayes’ teammates have to a better job of finishing off his playmaking.

Hayes is going to be a pass-first point guard until his shot is more consistent, and he has shown he can do that, even in his short stint with the Pistons this season.

The Pistons have a lot of versatile defenders and high-flying athletes but they need more guys who can finish the plays Hayes is going to make by knocking down some open shots.

The Detroit Pistons are just 24th in scoring overall and 19th in assists per game, largely because they rarely make shots off of kick outs.

Troy Weaver is going to be spending the offseason looking for guys who can shoot, as Killian Hayes could end up being one of the better young playmakers in the league, but only if his teammates are going to make the shots.

This could mean switching out Josh Jackson for someone who can hit open shots more consistently or looking for some plus shooters in the second-round of the draft.

The Detroit Pistons have some exciting young talent, but they need more shooters and guys who can finish, as they have a guy in Killian Hayes who is going to get them the ball in position to score.