The 2023-24 season will be the biggest of Killian Hayes’ career with the Detroit Pistons.
He’s on the final year of his deal and an extension isn’t coming, and with additions to the guard ranks, there is no guarantee that he’ll even be in the Pistons’ rotation.
We know Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Alec Burks will be part of the guard rotation, and newcomer Monte Morris is also sure to be part of the plans. That doesn’t leave many minutes for Killian Hayes, who is still only 22 years old but may be running out of time with the Detroit Pistons.
I am hoping Hayes shocks everyone by being so good that Monty Williams can’t keep him off the floor. That maybe he can finally embrace a role as backup point guard and defensive stopper similar to Pistons’ point guards we’ve seen in the past.
But if Hayes is not going to play much or at all, and Detroit doesn’t see a future for him with the team, then they might as well trade him and one team stands out as the perfect landing spot.
Detroit Pistons: The San Antonio Spurs would be a great team for Killian Hayes
I am already preparing for answers like “China” when I ask where Killian Hayes should play next, but someone is going to give him a shot in the NBA and that team could be the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs just waived veteran Cameron Payne, so now have little point guard depth with just Tre Jones and Devonte’ Graham. Unlike the Pistons, the Spurs might have big minutes for Killian Hayes as a backup point guard and what better coach to tap into his potential than the great Gregg Popovich?
Like the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs are a young, rebuilding team that is not only going to be measured by wins and losses next season. They are developing their team around Victor Wembanyama and have time to be patient.
The Spurs also have forwards like Reggie Bullock and Cedi Osman, veterans on expiring deals who could provide valuable depth for the Pistons.
Killian’s trade value is pretty much zero at the moment, but the Spurs could save a few bucks and take a flyer on a former lottery pick for cheap and the Pistons could end the Hayes saga once and for all and grab a player who can help them now but won’t clog up the cap space later.
The Pistons don’t have to trade Hayes, and there is still a world in which he can play a meaningful role, but there might be an opening now that the Spurs have waived Payne.