Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham’s injury creates opportunity
Detroit Pistons: Can Killian Hayes show development as the lone point guard in the starting lineup with Cade Cunningham out?
Cade Cunningham’s injury means Hayes will be the only primary ball-handler in Detroit’s starting lineup against the Spurs. The original plan was for the duo of Cunningham and Hayes to split time running the offense. In Cunningham’s absence, Hayes will have the opportunity to show his development from his roller coaster of a rookie season.
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Hayes missed 40 consecutive games due to a hip injury during his rookie season. When the 20-year-old point guard was healthy, he showed flashes of potential but was overall a disappointment.
The former seventh overall pick was well below league average shooting from beyond the arc. He sank only 27.8 percent of his three-pointers on nearly three attempts per game. Hayes also turned the ball over 3.2 times per game in his 26 appearances in 2020-21.
Hayes was able to shine on the defensive end of the court. The young point guard used his length to disrupt passing lanes and poke balls away from opposing ball-handlers. While he was not without his own mental lapses on the defensive end, he showed great potential as an on-ball perimeter defender.
With Cunningham out of the lineup, Hayes will have the opportunity to show his growth from year one to year two. As the lead-ball handler against the Spurs, Hayes should be looking to show off an improved three-point shot. Even if it is just a marginal improvement from last season, Hayes needs to show that he is getting better on shots from long range.
Hayes proved to be a crafty passer last season. This year he needs to show he can continue to be a playmaker for his teammates while also cutting down on his turnovers. Being able to do both of these things against a Gregg Popovich-coached Spurs defense can be a strong litmus test for the 20-year-old’s 2021-22 season.
Hayes himself has been listed as questionable for Detroit’s matchup with the Spurs, but if he is able to play, this is an opportunity to show his progress from last season.