Detroit Pistons: What Killian Hayes needs, the team doesn’t have

I believe Killian Hayes can be an excellent rotation player for the Detroit Pistons. In the past, I’ve written about some of his habits and how they’ve influenced his ability to adapt to the best league in the world, a league drastically different from professional basketball in Europe.

For Killian to enjoy a breakout season as he nears the end of his rookie contract, he’ll need to be the best version of himself. He’ll need to play his game, rely on his strengths, and develop his weaknesses.

The Detroit Pistons don’t have much time for patience when it comes to Killian Hayes, but it’s an attribute he needs to embrace in his game.

Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes leaning into his strengths

One of Killian Hayes’ two greatest strengths is his on-ball defense. He’s tall, long, and relatively quick. He can stay in front of most opponents and guard one through three and the occasional small power forward.

To capitalize on his defensive strengths, Hayes will need to improve his defensive awareness. An improved Detroit Pistons’ roster should provide him with an improved team defense to back him up, but his ability to anticipate the desired play will help him stay in position, turn his opponent the direction he wants him to go, and limit his take fouls.

Hayes’ second greatest strength is his ability to distribute the basketball. Hayes can pass through a keyhole unless there’s a defender anticipating the opportunity to pick the lock. Hayes needs to make the right pass, not the immediate pass.

Patience will be key to Hayes developing his game. He has the time he needs but, at this point, not a second more. His game will develop with his ability to take a breath, examine the plays, and act accordingly.

No doubt Hayes has been working on his shot as he has been since entering the league. Again, patience will be key. Hayes should take only good shots not available shots. Often the extra pass will create more opportunities for Hayes and his teammates.

So while patience may be in short supply for Killian Hayes and his future with the Detroit Pistons, he needs to embrace it as part of his game if he wants to make a bigger impact.