Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes is a tale of two players

The Detroit Pistons failed to execute down the stretch and lost another close game last night, this time to the Dallas Mavericks. Killian Hayes struggled mightily shooting the ball, hitting just 3-of-16 shots overall and just 2-of-10 from 3-point range in 29 minutes off the bench.

Hayes’ season has been all over the place, as he started it coming off the bench, but was forced into starter’s duties after Cade Cunningham went out for the season.

Killian responded and we’ve seen some real improvement, though how much depends on who you ask, as his biggest fans are probably a little too impressed, while his biggest critics haven’t given enough credit.

Hayes is not “trash” as some would claim, nor is he “elite” at anything, but he is finding his way and has undoubtedly improved this season. His recent move to the bench was somewhat puzzling, as Dwane Casey tried to mix things up by putting Alec Burks into a starting role with typical mixed results.

Hayes is averaging just under 10 points per game, and adding 5.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds overall this season, but when you dig a little deeper, it’s really been two seasons for Killian Hayes, one as a starter and one off the bench.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes as a starter vs. bench player

I am one of many who believe Killian Hayes’ ultimate role in the NBA will be as a backup point guard, which isn’t a bold take, especially after the Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham, who is the engine that makes the offense go.

The problem is that Hayes has not thrived in this role so far this season and has been much better as a starter.

In 32 games as a starter this season, Hayes has averaged 12 points, 6.8 assists and three rebounds per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from long range.

These aren’t All-NBA numbers by any means, but they exceed his season averages and show the growth from last season, as they are nearly double his numbers in the starting lineup other than rebounds, which are the same.

Killian Hayes off the bench has been a completely different story this season. In 16 games as a bench player, Hayes is averaging just 5.7 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds while shooting an abysmal 29.2 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from 3-point range.

Some players find it difficult to get into a rhythm off the bench, and Hayes seems to be one of them, and when you consider the shooting struggles he already has, it turns him from a decent player into one that shouldn’t be in an NBA rotation.

Hayes has played nearly 10 minutes more per game as a starter, so part of the issue may just be getting him more minutes, though it didn’t help much last night.

This is a problem, as Hayes’ future is likely coming off the bench, and it’s not been a role in which he has acclimated to, and it’s not just this season, his numbers are a starter are much better for his career.

Whether it is preparation, embracing the role or just getting better teammates around him, Hayes has to find a way to be more effective off the bench, which is where he is likely headed full time next season when Cunningham returns.