Second-year Pistons guard Killian Hayes, a former lottery pick, has improved thus far since being demoted to Detroit’s bench three games ago, writes Steve Kornacki of The Detroit News. Head coach Dwane Casey opted to start veteran point guard Corey Joseph over Hayes, thinking Joseph could be a better fit alongside score-first No. 1 2021 lottery pick Cade Cunningham.
“Killian’s only played (23) more games than Cade… and made the transition coming in from Europe,” Pistons head coach Casey said. “So, there’s a lot going on for the young man. But we’re patient and will continue to work with him. He’s big, he’s strong and his shooting is going to come. I have all the confidence in the world it’s going to come.”
Hayes, still just 20, has struggled to find his footing in the NBA. A labrum tear limited Hayes to just 26 contests during the 2020-21 NBA season. Across 33 games as a starter next to Cunningham this year, Hayes had been averaging 6.2 points, 3.6 assists and 1.5 turnovers a night while connecting on 34.3% of his field goals. During his three contests off the bench, Hayes is posting averages of 8.3 points per game on 38.1% shooting, plus 6.3 assists and a turnover.
“I’m going to have the ball in my hands a bit more with the second unit,” Hayes said of his new role with the 11-37 Pistons. “Just trying to bring more energy and be more vocal with the second unit coming in, and then also, whenever I play with Cade, just give him help as the point guard.”
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