Killian Hayes has gotten off to a rough start for the Detroit Pistons, which has some fans wondering if he will do a stint in the G-League this season.
The G-League does not start until November 6th for the Motor City Cruise, so that would be the very earliest we might see a move like this, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Lottery picks rarely get sent to the G-League and I don’t think the 20-year-old Hayes, who has still yet to play half a season in the NBA, will be sent there either. We’re also two games into the season, so people need to relax, as Hayes could come out and have a great game vs. the Hawks and shut everyone up.
The Pistons are not knocking on the door of contention, so if Hayes can’t get minutes now, when will he?
However, I can see some merit in the argument to send him down, so let’s look at the pros and cons of Killian Hayes going to the G-League for some of the season.
Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes can build confidence in the G-league
Pro: It’s possible that sending Hayes to a less pressure-filled environment will help him get into a rhythm and find some confidence.
Right now, Hayes looks scared to take a shot, scared to make mistakes. In the G-League he could just let it fly and if shots start going down, it could build his confidence.
He would have much more of a physical advantage there and realizing that might help him when he gets back to the real team.
Con: Whether you want to admit it or not, being sent the G-League is a demotion. Such a move would give legs to the “Killian Hayes is a bust” narrative and no matter how well he plays there, being demoted will be a blow to a young player’s ego and confidence.
There’s also the issue that Hayes would be playing with less talented players who won’t be able to take advantage of what he does well, which is pass and defend. What if he didn’t dominate in the G-League? What then? It’s a risk not worth taking as long as the Detroit Pistons are not in contention anyway.
Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes can work on his game in the G-League
Pro: With Cade Cunningham out, a bright spotlight has been put directly on Killian Hayes, showing all of his faults. No one pays attention to the G-League really, so if Hayes were playing there he could work on the things he needs to work on without pressure to win games.
If his shots aren’t falling, it’s hard to tell him to keep shooting when the Detroit Pistons are trying to win. In the G-League wins and losses aren’t as important as development, so Hayes could launch shots, be aggressive and get reps to work on his game without the pressure.
Con: What pressure? The Pistons won 20 games last season and aren’t expected to be much better in this one. Hayes can launch shots and be aggressive NOW. There is no reason to send him to the G-League when the Pistons are rebuilding anyway.
If Hayes can’t handle the pressure of performing for a team that has no expectations then is he really the guy? He can work on his game by playing and practicing night after night with NBA players.
He needs to take his lumps with the Detroit Pistons and show that he has the confidence to be this team’s point guard. He can’t do that if he is in the G-League.
Detroit Pistons: Sending Killian Hayes to the G-League messes with the roster
Pro: Hayes isn’t really helping the team right now, and if he can’t turn things around, he might lose his minutes to someone anyway.
Sending him to the G-League would open up some minutes for someone else (maybe Saben Lee) to come in and have an impact without benching Killian Hayes completely.
Saben Lee has been more aggressive offensively and has played good defense, so getting him some run right now might help the Pistons and allow Hayes to develop in the meantime.
Con: The Detroit Pistons are already shorthanded with Cade Cunningham out and it’s not like any of their other guards have played well either.
Who exactly should be getting the minutes that Killian Hayes is getting right now? Frank and Josh Jackson have been awful so far, same with Hamidou Diallo. Saben Lee hasn’t really played in the first two games, so it’s not like Hayes is blocking a future all-star here.
None of the Pistons’ guards have played well so far, so why aren’t we talking about sending them to the G-League? If there were a viable option that Hayes was blocking then this argument might make sense, but right now he might be the best option even if he is playing poorly.
I don’t think Killian Hayes will be sent to the G-League, nor should he be. This is a developing team, so let’s give the 20-year-old point guard who has barely played a little more time before we panic.