Killian Hayes has fallen off the NBA radar. Hayes was out of the league for most of the 2024-25 season, though he is determined to earn another NBA deal , per BeBasket .
2020 Top 10 Draft Pick Rebuffs Europe Offers, Working On NBA Deal
Hayes was selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2020 draft due to his facilitating and defense potential. Hayes was the Detroit Pistons’ starting point guard from the beginning. He was limited to 28 games in his rookie campaign due to a hip injury.
Hayes did a good job with the Pistons’ offense, but he struggled with shooting and turnovers in his rookie season. While Hayes cut down on his turnovers significantly in year two, he continued to struggle shooting the ball. He turned in his best season in 2023-24, averaging double-figures and posting a 2.7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, but efficiency was still an issue.
Hayes saw his role decrease in 2023-24 as the Pistons decided to rely more heavily on Cade Cunningham , Jaden Ivey , and Ausar Thompson in the backcourt. The Pistons also made several trades at the 2024 trade deadline, causing a numbers crunch. As a result, the Pistons waived Hayes on February 8.
Hayes signed an Exhibit-1o contract with Brooklyn before training camp last season. The 6-5 point guard spent most of last season with the G-League Long Island Nets. He was fantastic at Long Island, compiling six double-doubles and two triple-doubles, and earned a 10-day contract with the Nets.
Hayes continued his G-League play with the Nets. In six appearances, including five starts, he scored in double-figures twice and turned in a 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. In addition, he knocked down a career-best 1.3 threes.
Hayes has posted career averages of 8.1 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 216 contests. He also has posted shooting splits of 38.3/28.1/77.7. Additionally, he has eight double-doubles.
Should Hayes Get Another Chance
Hayes reportedly has turned down French club ASVEL Basket’s offer to continue his NBA pursuit. He is also said to draw interest from Spanish club Real Madrid and Turkish squad Anadolu Efes.
While Hayes has shown improvement as a shooter the past two seasons, especially from deep, he still needs to improve in that area and efficiency overall. His 1.0 points per shot attempt are subpar. Still, the 24-year-old has demonstrated himself to be one of the best playmakers and ball handlers in the NBA. He is also capable of hounding opposing ballhandlers.
While the wing position has become the most valuable position in the NBA, point guards are also very important, and teams are always looking for solid facilitators. So, Hayes should be able to pick up a camp invitation, particularly since he has starting experience.
Charlotte is the only team currently with all 21 roster spots filled for the upcoming season. The Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers both have 20 players in line for training camp, and neither needs to add a point guard. Meanwhile, Toronto also has 20 spots spoken for, though it may be wise for them to consider Hayes. Every other team could theoretically add Hayes.
Amir Coffey Inks Deal With Milwaukee
Free agent forward Amir Coffey has signed a training camp deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, per The Athletic’s Eric Nehm . He is the first player to sign a training camp deal with the team.
“Per a league source, it is a training camp deal for Amir Coffey,” Nehm tweeted. “ESPN was first to report the signing.”
Coffey is coming off a career season with the Clippers. The 6-7 wing averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 72 games this past season. He drained a career-best 1.4 threes while shooting 47.1/40.9/89.1. He scored in double-figures 33 times, topping the 20-point plateau four times.
Coffey is a good pickup for the Bucks and will likely be given a chance to earn a roster spot. The 28-year-old, who is not eligible for a two-way spot, is a solid 3-and-D wing who is capable of guarding all five positions.
Milwaukee has 15 players on standard contracts with a salary cap hit of $172.1 million. Andre Jackson Jr. has a partial guarantee, and the Bucks are over $15 million below the luxury tax. So, Coffey will likely be in competition with Jackson for the Bucks’ last spot.
Bones Hyland Expected To Sign With Timberwolves
Bones Hyland is the frontrunner for the Minnesota Timberwolves ‘ final roster spot. According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic , the Timberwolves have been searching for another point guard behind Mike Conley and Rob Dillingham . Krawczynski added that the Wolves looked at several veterans, but have ultimately turned their attention to Hyland.
“The Wolves have looked into several candidates for the spot, including Malcolm Brogdon , Cam Payne and Landry Shamet , league sources told The Athletic,” Krawcyznski said . “However, all indications are that Bones Hylfrontrunnerront-runner is going to get that final spot, league sources said. Hyland signed a two-way contract with the Wolves in February, played briefly in Iowa, and spent the rest of his time with the Timberwolves.”
Hyland is entering his fifth NBA season. The 24-year-old point guard joined the Timberwolves last February after being waived by the Atlanta Hawks following his trade from the Clippers. He has seen 17 minutes of action in four games for the Wolves last season.
Hyland was selected with the No. 26 pick in the 2021 draft. Hyland has been the third point guard most of his career. He is an inefficient scorer as he is primarily a 3-point shooter, connecting on 36.4% of his career attempts.
If Hyland does sign with the Timberwolves, it will likely be for the veteran minimum. His agreement would give the Wolves 14 players on standard deals with a projected salary cap hit of around $205 million. That would put them less than $2 million below the punitive second apron.
Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images
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