The Detroit Pistons’ offseason has quieted down since a flurry of moves netted them a new head coach, two more first-round picks and a couple of veterans on expiring contracts.
They have possible roster issues at both center and guard, so it’s not unlikely that the Pistons make further moves before the 2023-24 training camp begins.
Most assume the trade would come from the center ranks, as Detroit has a lot of money tied up in two backups and there might not be minutes for everyone depending on how Monty Williams deploys them.
But recent reports suggest the Pistons are intent on trading Killian Hayes, with the Dallas Mavericks as the most recent team they have talked to about the French point guard.
When Detroit traded for Monte Morris and drafted Marcus Sasser (not to mention another recent point guard signing) the writing may have been on the wall for Killian’s time in Detroit, but other than Dallas, what teams might want him?
Detroit Pistons: 2 Teams that could trade for Killian Hayes
The trade return for Hayes is not going to be significant regardless of which team trades for him, as he was the worst shooter in the league last season and is due $7.4 million on an expiring contract, not an easy sell.
But he’s still very young and has potential, so some team will nab him at some point if Detroit decides to cut ties in a trade or just by letting him walk in free agency. Here are two that might be able to use his services.
Toronto Raptors
After losing Fred VanVleet, the Raptors currently have Dennis Schroder and Malachi Flynn pencilled into their depth chart at point guard, not exactly an inspiring duo. Hayes would be an upgrade as a backup, though his shooting wouldn’t exactly help a Toronto team that was 28th in the league in 3-point percentage last season.
But Killian would be an upgrade over Flynn, and would allow Toronto to put some very good defensive teams on the floor, though spacing would be an issue. The Raptors are hoping that Gradey Dick will help and Killian would at least give them some more young guard talent in the pipeline.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have made it clear through their offseason moves that they are going to build slowly and incrementally around Victor Wembanyama. They’ve already been talking “load management” with Wembanyama as well, so next season is likely going to be another developmental one for the Spurs.
This would be a great landing spot for Killian Hayes, as the Spurs don’t have a ton of talent at point guard and Pop seems like the perfect coach to get the most out of his skill on the defensive end. The Spurs will probably end up winning more games than the Pistons next season, so I don’t want to act like the Detroit roster is far superior because it isn’t, but it does seem like Killian Hayes would have a better chance to get minutes against Tre Jones and Cameron Payne.
The Spurs would also get another French speaker to hang out with Wemby, which is a bonus.
Hayes isn’t going to get the Pistons much, which is probably why they are trying to attach him to a bigger deal, but both the Raptors and Spurs could use him so are teams to watch as the Hayes saga unfolds in Detroit.