Killian Hayes has to make progress as a scorer to show the Pistons he should be part of their long-term plans, writes James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. After injuries limited him to 26 games as a rookie, Hayes bounced back to play in 66 last season, showing the defensive and passing skills that made him the No. 7 overall pick in 2020.
However, his scoring development remained stagnant as he averaged 6.9 PPG in 25 minutes per night while shooting 38.3% from the field and 26.3% from three-point range. Edwards believes Hayes needs to become more aggressive in getting to the basket, noting that he made 74% of his attempts at the rim last season, but that only accounted for 16% of his shots.
Edwards poses questions involving other Pistons players, asking whether Isaiah Stewart has become a legitimate three-point shooter, whether Saddiq Bey can balance his performance from his first two seasons and whether Saben Lee can find a way to stand out on a roster loaded with guards.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Lonzo Ball tops a list of Bulls players with the most to prove compiled by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Ball may be held out through the start of the regular season because of pain in his surgically repaired left knee. The Bulls insist the knee is structurally sound, but his availability will play a massive role in where the team finishes in the Eastern Conference. Mayberry adds that the team also needs a bounce-back performance from center Nikola Vucevic, who’s heading into a contract year.
- Unlike most of their competitors in the East, the Bucks didn’t make major changes this offseason and can rely on continuity as they make a run at another NBA title, per Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype. Milwaukee still has the defensive foundation to contend for a championship, Gozlan adds, and Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the best players in the world. One financial concern that Gozlan points out is that the Bucks appear destined for the repeater tax next season, while Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez will both become unrestricted free agents in July if they don’t receive extensions.
- In a press release, the Cleveland Charge – The Cavaliers‘ G League affiliate – announced the trade of Norvel Pelle and the Charge’s second-round pick to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (the Pacers‘ affiliate) in exchange for Nate Hinton.
Bulls need some new orthopedic surgeons. There is a pattern of players taking longer to recover or having odd symptoms to surgery. Similar to the issue with the owners’ other team, the White Sox.
Hayes came out as a driver. Thing he did best is get to the rim. Probably trying to strengthen other parts of his gm. It’s absolutely nuts. To criticize a 19 yr old rookie. With Cunningham there. I would start Hayes in G-league. Work his gm while he gets real mins. He is absolutely a starting PG talent in the making. If you don’t ruin him.
He played very well towards the end of the season off the bench, he has still only played one full year worth of games.
He needs to work on 3 pt shot, no defense respects that. You can tell if you watch Pistons play
I never understood why they didn’t put him in the G league the second year so he could develop as he got stronger. Now they can’t do it because it would do more harm then good. His confidence would be shaken & his value would go down. He has untapped potential which keeps his trade value above water. He must improve this year or he will be traded.