In the history of the Detroit Pistons, I’m not sure there has been a more polarizing player than Killian Hayes. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a total bust on his way to Shanghai, or a young budding star who just needs time and the right environment to succeed.
The former 7th pick is entering his 4th season, the final on his current contract. It’s possible he’ll get an extension this summer, but if not he will either be traded or become a free agent at the end of the season.
So Hayes was already in contractual purgatory and that was before the Detroit Pistons traded up to draft guard Marcus Sasser and then traded for veteran point guard Monte Morris, not exactly a ringing endorsement for Killian Hayes.
This will be the first time that Hayes has had to compete for minutes against guys who were not veteran journeymen or fringe G-League players, so it will either bring out the best in him or it won’t.
Should the Detroit Pistons trade Killian Hayes?
The moves the Pistons have made this offseason have led to rampant speculation that Killian Hayes is on his way out the door.
The 21-year-old has flashed signs of being a really good player at times, but his inconsistency on the offensive end led Detroit to explore other options. Monte Morris is a solid veteran point guard who takes care of the ball, can defend a little and is just under 40 percent from long range for his career.
Same with Marcus Sasser, who was one of the best volume 3-point shooters in college over the last two seasons and also has some skill defending.
This could lead the Pistons to pursue trade options with Hayes, but would now be the right time to do it? One publication thinks so.