NBA | Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons) has he finally made his place in the NBA?

He will be one of the attractions of the meeting between the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls, a team in reconstruction and another in the soft underbelly of the table in the East. Because he’s not just coming to find his roots or act as a guide to his partners: Hayes finally really has a role in Michigan. Which did not necessarily seem obvious at the start of the season, when the Frenchman was criticized for his clumsiness and his disappointing performances while having a somewhat vague status within the group.

He arrived in the NBA with the label of a very promising prospect by being drafted in seventh position in 2020. The highest choice for a tricolor representative, pending Victor Wembanyama in a few months. But the former leader of Cholet and Ulm (Germany) was hampered by injuries in his first season then blocked by competition from Cade Cunningham (selected in first position in 2021) during the second and Jaden Ivey ( fifth in 2022) in 2022. The Pistons did not hesitate to draw two American players who evolve substantially in the same positions as him, even if Ivey can shift to the back position.

A 21-year-old player who asserts himself more and more

Killian Hayes still disappointed in comparison to the expectations placed on him. Above all, he missed the opportunity, sometimes out of luck but also because he was probably not quite ready. But this season, that changes. At last. Cunningham’s injury, a calf hit and unavailable until next year, has allowed him to express himself with significant playing time and increased responsibilities in attack. “He’s our best creator“, designs his coach Dwane Casey, who passes the game through him.

The evolution is remarkable. Palpable even. If he is still irregular, like many 21-year-old players, he can finally express his qualities. This is often what young French people who arrive in the NBA lack: a lasting opportunity to put themselves forward. Still it is necessary to seize it when it comes. And that’s what Hayes does. Its statistics are increasing month after month: 2.5 points (sic) in October, 9.8 in November, 12.1 in December and now 14.6 in January. Shooting percentages and assists follow the same upward curve. This is the sign of a player who is revving up and still gaining confidence. Trust, precisely, is perhaps what distinguishes a Killian Hayes from a Frank Ntilikina. Not that the former Strasbourg, who occupies a minor role in the Dallas Mavericks, does not believe in him. But beyond their different profiles, Hayes is much less shy when it comes to scoring points and trying things on offense.

He begins to develop a fairly decent shot at mid-range, especially off the screen. His floats at the head of the racquet also help him get his points. It is important. Because it is often the sinews of war to make a place for yourself: find your spots, strengthen them and play on them to shine. “It simply develops at the right speed, on its own tempo. He does not let others dictate his development. He agrees to grow at his own pace, at his own speed. This is what young people must do. Everyone wants to see him evolve like a veteran who has ten years of the NBA behind him. But what is he, a third year? That’s why I’m not surprised. We just have to be patient with him. Unfortunately, this league is not patient enough, you always have to win matches. But it’s growing right before our eyes“, explains the Pistons coach.

Even when he lacks address, Hayes manages to impact the game. As when he returned from suspension after a blow to Moritz Wagner. Opposed to the Warriors, he returned only 3 of his 12 attempts that evening. But he also gave 13 assists without losing a single ball. He also scored an important winning basket, returned two crucial free throws and offered the match point to Saddiq Bey, author of the shot for the win.

What future in Detroit?

So yes, he shows up but what will be next? Will this be enough? The situation may not change in Detroit. He performs but in a very weak team (12 wins in 47 matches) and one can ask what it is “worth”. Theo Maledon shone for a year with the Oklahoma City Thunder and now plays parts of matches with the Charlotte Hornets, the only formation lower ranked than the Pistons in the East. Then, what role can he really claim when Cunningham returns? It’s not like he’s going to take the place of who is seen as the future of the franchise and a potential NBA All-Star. It is possible, and even very likely, that Killian Hayes will be back on the bench with fluctuating playing time.

This role of sixth man does not stick to his skin. Young leaders need to be in from the start, to be able to try things without the pressure to come out, to be able to feel the defense, feel the game. He needs to play without another big creator by his side, he has need to have the ball. Not sure he can ever have all that in Detroit, at least in a configuration where the team is complete. And even less if the Pistons get the second pick of the draft and bet on another guard, the very promising Scoot Henderson. This is a hypothetical but believable scenario.

It would be a shame if Killian Hayes fell into oblivion. He has still proven a lot of things in recent weeks. The first observation is that it is clearly a “two way player.” A player who has impact on both sides of the pitch. He struggles with the best opposing outside attackers and he does it well (2.3 interceptions per game in January!). He has the speed and the power to manhandle them. James Harden can testify. He is also a very good passer and scorer in progress. A franchise has to go get him, much like the Magic did with Markelle Fultz, a former first draft pick who is reborn in Orlando. He would, for example, be ideal in Utah, once the Jazz have sold Mike Conley and are looking for a young leader for their project. But the Pistons will probably be reluctant to part with their Frenchman, even if they don’t play him as a starter when Cunningham returns.

This is a frustrating assumption, even if, by definition, it remains uncertain. It’s a shame to see some of the best talent in France struggling to make their mark in the world’s toughest championship. As Evan Fournier said, it may be a sign that they “arrive too soon in the NBA“, without being ready to really weigh. Hayes took three years to hatch. So let’s hope it’s not too late. Normally not, but everything can go very quickly in the NBA. One way or the other.