The Nets have signed free agents Tyrese Martin and Killian Hayes, the team announced (Twitter links).
The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft, Hayes spent three-and-a-half seasons with the Pistons before being waived in February. Hayes’ agreement with the Nets was first reported in late July. While Hayes is on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract, he’ll reportedly be given an opportunity to earn a regular season roster spot.
Martin’s agreement with the Nets was not previously reported, but had been speculated after Long Island traded for his returning rights from the Iowa Wolves a couple weeks ago. That indicates that Martin, who played for Brooklyn’s Summer League squad in July, likely signed an Exhibit 10 deal as well.
A 25-year-old wing who started his college career at Rhode Island before finishing at UConn, Martin was the 51st pick of the 2022 draft. He spent his rookie year on a standard deal with the Hawks, but only appeared in 16 regular season games for a total of 66 minutes, having spent most of the campaign in the G League.
Atlanta released Martin last summer, making him a free agent. He signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Minnesota last fall, was waived before 2023/24 began, and spent all of last season with the team’s NBAGL affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. In 39 total games with Iowa (33.5 MPG), Martin averaged 16.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.2 APG and 0.9 SPG on .447/.331/.831 shooting.
Unlike Hayes, Martin only has one year of NBA service time, making him eligible for a two-way contract. Exhibit 10 deals can be converted to two-way contracts, and Brooklyn has one two-way opening after signing Yongxi Cui.
The Nets now have 19 players under contract, two shy of the offseason limit, with several other reported agreements that have yet to be finalized.
Imagine picking Hayes over Haliburton AND Maxey? Bane too! Everyone involved with that decision should be banned from NBA jobs forever.
Imagine picking Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan. Hakeem Olajuwon at #1 was understandable and a Hall of Famer in his own right but the pick of Bowie, beset by injuries, has been a blot on Portland’s history.
Well, those players aren’t mentioned in this article, but yeah, for that blunder Portland doesn’t deserve a team and that franchise should instead be relocated to San Jose, California, where they will sell out every game.
Unfortunately in both examples, due to the NBA’s constant recycling of front office rich kids–I mean “executives”, both mistakes were likely not punished at all, and the guys who made those costly errors probably think they did the right thing or even worse, pat themselves on the back for it.
When asked about Darko, Joe Dumars explained that drafting then was hugely unscientific – not much analytics, not much interviews nor background checks.
Front offices now have the benefit of analytics, advanced scouting, extensive workouts, etc ……… there’s not much excuse for picking a scrub like Killian Hayes when Haliburton was still available.
Oden over Durant
I can.
Hayes at the time was 19 yo and was already playing against pros and was productive, against the top European competition. He also has great size for a PG. And while he had flaws, his passing and defense was already considered NBA ready despite being young.
The Pistons FO deserves criticism for not being able to develop him fully, but you can’t blame them for seeing the upside in Killian Hayes during that draft, and picking him over guys you mentioned.
The modern NBA is about shooting 3’s …….. Hayes just can’t hit the 3’s – it’s more on him than the coaches.
Davey… your warriors picked James Wiseman at 2 overall in that draft. What are you talking about?
The Nets could have two Martins on two-way contracts.
Killian Hayes, the NETS be tanking. Hard.
Hayes sure does get tons of opportunities for s scrub.
Elfrid Payton or Hayes. Who do you pick
Signing Hayes is hilarious