Grade the trade: Pistons dump Killian Hayes in proposed deal

Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Pistons, Killian Hayes
Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes (7) Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

Grade the trade: Pistons dump Killian Hayes in proposed deal

Let’s face it, Killian Hayes’ value has probably never been lower as a guy on an expiring contract who was one of the worst shooters in the NBA last season.

Selling now would be the ultimate act of selling low, as second-round picks come and go like Monopoly money, so all the Pisotns would really be getting back is $7.4 million in cap space.

It’s a tough trade to grade: On one hand, if Hayes ever figures it out, he’ll be worth far more than two second-round picks. On the other, getting cap space is about the most the Pistons could hope for at this point, so it’s not like there is a big deal waiting out there for Hayes.

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Even though I am not a big Hayes believer, it seems pointless to trade him now, as his value isn’t going to get any lower and his salary could end up being valuable in a trade down the line, especially if he plays well to start the season.

Of course, he may not play at all, in which case Detroit will have an angry, overpaid fourth point guard on their bench waiting to flee for greener pastures.

I don’t think the Pistons can do much better than this, and if they had an idea of how to use that cap space to benefit next year’s roster, it may be worth it to dump Hayes now.

But there’s no big risk in keeping him, so I say let him compete for minutes and see if that brings out the best version of him. The best version of Hayes is a good player, but will we ever see it? This trade doesn’t thrill me or move the needle for Detroit, and the grade reflects that.

Grade: C-

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