Pistons point guard Killian Hayes saw his name pop in trade rumors this offseason after Detroit added first-round pick Marcus Sasser and veteran Monte Morris to an already crowded backcourt that also includes Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Alec Burks. In August, multiple reporters suggested Hayes could be moved before the 2023/24 season begins.
While the season doesn’t start for another couple weeks, Hayes has certainly helped himself to this point with a strong training camp and preseason, writes James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. In addition to drawing praise from head coach Monty Williams, the 22-year-old is averaging 14.5 PPG, 5.0 APG and 3.0 SPG while shooting 57.1% from the field in two preseason contests (23.8 MPG).
Morris has yet to play due to a back injury, which has opened up minutes. But even when he returns, Edwards believes Hayes should — and probably will — have a rotation role when Detroit’s season tips off on October 25 in Miami.
Here’s more on the Pistons:
- Second-year wing Stanley Umude is another young player who has impressed during preseason, tweets Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. Umude, who is on a non-guaranteed training camp contract, is averaging 15.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 2.0 APG on .667/.600/1.000 shooting in just 19.8 MPG through two games. As Langlois notes, the Pistons have an open two-way slot and Umude is making a case for a promotion. The 24-year-old spent the majority of last season playing for Detroit’s G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise, though he did appear in one NBA game after receiving a 10-day contract in February.
- Jalen Duren put an early end to a potential competition for the starting center position, and he’s ready to show more of his “unlimited ceiling” in his second season, according to Langlois of Pistons.com. “The feel with the ball, the touch, the passing,” Williams said of Duren’s atypical big man skills. “His (dribble-handoff) game is pretty advanced for a young player. He knows how to get off the DHO, drop the ball and still screen and that’s something it takes kids a few years to understand how to do that consistently. I’ve heard he was always big, so it befuddles me when you look at him and you see the guard skills. You’re like, ‘Where did he get that?’ He has the ability to get down in a guard-like position when he’s dribbling the ball. We’re going to try some things, give him the ball in the full court and let him go off of rebounds. Tell everybody, get out of there. Because he does have that ability.”
- Marvin Bagley III, who is competing with James Wiseman for backup center minutes, had a strong showing on Sunday in the team’s first preseason game against Phoenix. As Omari Sankofa of The Detroit Free Press writes (subscriber link), injuries and consistency have been an issue for Bagley, which Williams acknowledged. “I think he would agree that he’s looking for consistency in his career,” the head coach said. “The number two pick, a lot of acclaim, a lot of talent, and at this point in his career he’s looking for consistency. And that’s what I’m looking for.” Williams also praised Bagley’s defensive communication.
I always wanted Duren. Knicks wanted another pick to trade. Considering they had three bigs with a future. Today Duren is worth way more than the 2025 first rd pick from Bucks. That we got. I should say we also moved Kemba Walker to Pistons. A salary dump.
Which made it possible to sign Jalen Brunson. I guess we did good. I have always believed Duren was best big in the draft. And has huge upside. Still have high expectations for Duren and Wiseman. Hope Monty can help them ……
Al,
I like Duren a lot too, but to your point, would you rather have Duren and Kemba, or Brunson.
As for Hayes, I like a lot about his game, but dude can’t shoot. He is one of those guys that has always been an oddity to me, a guy who shoots 80%+ from the charity stripe, but can’t shoot from the field. I know shooting from the line and the field are two different things, but guys like Hayes, Rubio, and Smart just don’t make sense to me.
Basically Brandon Jennings 2015-16 to the end of his career ot Ntilikina his entire career.
Bagley gets hurt walking to get his breakfast. It would be for the best if the Pistons did not rely on him. View him as a luxury, I do wonder if Monty has patience for him as he didn’t for Ayton.
Trade Wiseman, Bagley and Hayes for a young PF and veteran C with draft compensation.
Nah… trade for Fournier and get your FRP back from the Knicks. The protections on it extends it out to 2028 I think. Can’t make real moves without it.
Joe Harris for Fournier and DETs FRP. Would be beneficial for both teams.
I would extend Wiseman. 3/30ish like they did MB3.
They need to consolidate the roster tho. Move Hayes is high on their list.
Monte, Ivey, Cade, and Ausar need to get the lionshare of minutes at guard. So moving Burks and Harris would be ideal.
Trade Bojan for a FRP.
Take on a few toxic players, get some assets. Take on KPJ and Miles Bridges for a FRP each. Cut em, who cares.
They have to build thru the draft or take a chance on flailing prospects like Wiseman and MB3.
Removing Bojan and you increase PT for your 4 big men.
If you wanted a vet C, you can find one on the street.
NYK will not attach a first round pick for Joe Harris haha Fournier for Harris is bad for bad.
Uuum okay. I wouldn’t trade for Fournier if I was the pistons. Looking at their roster and maybe trade Wiseman and Hayes for Sengun and Porter jr(waive). Works for both teams.
Stanley Umude should be signed
Keep Umude! You don’t want another team grabbing him and developing him.