Nets agree to one-year deal with former top-10 pick Killian Hayes; will compete for a roster spot in training camp

Former No. 7 overall pick Killian Hayes intends to sign a one-year deal with the Nets, league sources confirmed to the Daily News on Thursday.

Hayes, who will compete for a roster spot in training camp, was once considered one of the top prospects in the 2020 NBA Draft class because of his size, playmaking skills and offensive creativity. He earned FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship MVP honors in 2017 before the Detroit Pistons made him a lottery pick years later.

However, the 22-year-old has failed to meet those lofty expectations four seasons into his NBA career. He averaged just 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists across 210 games in Detroit and was waived by the club in February.

While Hayes did show flashes of potential in spots, he never managed to put it all together with the Pistons, as he shot 38.2% from the field, 27.7% from 3-point range and 77.5% from the free throw line during his tenure with the team. His assist to turnover (1.2) ratio was solid last season, though, despite his offensive limitations.

A torn labrum cost Hayes most of his rookie season in 2021. The most games he has played in a single season is 76, which came during the 2022-23 campaign.

Brooklyn’s interest in Hayes makes sense, given the team’s newfound interest in developing young talent such as Noah Clowney, Jalen Wilson, Dariq Whitehead and Keon Johnson. It recently traded for former Memphis Grizzlies top-10 pick Ziaire Williams, who averaged 7.5 points per game on 42.6% shooting over his first three seasons in the league.

Hayes will compete for a roster spot against far more productive guards in training camp, but could be a low-risk, high-reward scenario for the Nets if he can somehow turn around what has been a disappointing career so far.

Originally Published: July 25, 2024 at 6:22 p.m.