Detroit Pistons: Will Saben Lee beat out Killian Hayes this season?

The Detroit Pistons have two young point guards in Killian Hayes and Saben Lee who will both be battling for minutes this season.

Depending on how you look at Cade Cunningham, the Pistons will have four point guards after signing Lee to a 3-year deal and bringing back veteran Cory Joseph.

Joseph was really just brought in for veteran depth, as the three young Pistons’ point guards are more athletic, have higher ceiling talent and are part of the future core of the team.

Killian Hayes was injured for most of last season, though he did flash some nice defense and passing ability late in the year when he returned.

Lee was a surprise second-round pick who earned his way from a two-way contract onto the roster and made the most of it with some huge games early in the season.

Lee showed some big improvements in Summer League and may have done enough to turn coach Dwane Casey’s head, but was it enough to supplant Killian Hayes? We are not there yet, but Saben is making his case.

Let’s look where the two stand on offense and defense, as well as how they fit with some of the other players on the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes and Saben Lee on offense

Offensively, both players are somewhat similar in that they are mainly playmakers who struggle to shoot from range.

But Lee showed improved confidence and accuracy with his 3-point shot in Summer League, shooting 40 percent from long range on four attempts per game and showing the confidence to shoot them when the game was on the line.

Though he played far less, Hayes shot just 18 percent from long range, and has struggled from there from the get-go.

Hayes is probably the better passer, though Lee is much better at getting into the lane to set up teammates or finish himself.

Hayes still struggles to finish, and hasn’t shown a lot of confidence in his ability to do so. I think Lee is the more polished offensive player at this point, as he is quicker, more aggressive and more confident, but Hayes is definitely more physical and has more high-ceiling talent.

Advantage: Lee

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes and Saben Lee on defense

Coach Dwane Casey has called Saben Lee a “disruptive” defender, which is usually the adjective you use for small, annoying guards who pester the other team.

But I don’t think there is any doubt that Hayes is the superior defender at this point in their respective careers.

Both are very good on the ball, but Hayes has the size to guard up and the strength to keep bigger guys out of the lane, while Lee is probably limited to defending point guards.

Hayes and Cunningham have the chance to be a special backcourt defensively when you consider their size and ability to guard all over.

Lee is a guy who is going to be active on the ball and try to use his quickness and athleticism to jump into passing lanes for steals, but Hayes has the defensive potential to lock up the other team’s best guard, which we saw in flashes in the Summer League vs. Jalen Green.

Here we see Hayes fighting over a screen, recovering, getting back in front of Green in time to block his shot:

Here we see Hayes using his foot speed and strength to stay in front of Green, getting his hands on the ball and generally making things difficult. Green was forced to kick it out for a tough 3-point shot.

Killian Hayes has a chance to be elite on the defensive end, and while Saben Lee has made strides, he is not on the same level.

Advantage: Hayes

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, Saben Lee and how they fit with the starters

If Saben Lee is really going to take minutes from Killian Hayes, he will have to find a way to fit in with the starters, which is where I see a problem.

Lee needs the ball in his hands to be effective, as he loves to break defenders down off the dribble, use his quickness to get into the lane and then finish with a floater, dunk or pass to a teammate.

Hayes is less of a penetrator and more of a passer who uses change of speed and pick-and-roll to get to his spots.

Lee is probably too ball dominant to play much with Cade Cunningham, and would be more effective running the offense in the second unit.

In fact, he showed a promising two-man game with Luka Garza that could be a go-to for the Detroit Pistons’ bench as the season progresses.

Here Lee uses his quickness to get into the lane before setting Garza up for the kick-out 3-pointer:

Lee and Garza were great in the pick-and-roll, which they ran successfully time and time again in the first half against Orlando.

Lee is better suited to run with a bench unit where he can be the primary ball handler and make plays, and I hope to see he and Garza get a chance to see if their synergy translates into the regular season.

Advantage: Hayes

Saben Lee is going to push Killian Hayes and I expect some fierce training camp battles for minutes, but in the end, Hayes is the better defender and the more high-ceiling talent, so he is going to get every opportunity to keep his spot in the rotation, but it’s nice to have Lee there as insurance.