It appears inevitable that the Pistons will trade the guard before the NBA Trade Deadline on February 8. In addition to Hayes’ terrible start to his career, the former lottery choice is in his contract year. According to CBS, this makes Hayes a “candidate to get moved elsewhere” from the Pistons
Given that Hayes is in the final year of his deal and appears to have fallen out of favor in Detroit, the 2020 lottery pick could be moved before the February 8 trade deadline.
Another noteworthy fact is that, according to The Athletic, the Pistons “were close to trading” Hayes before current head coach Monty Williams arrived:
According to my sources, Detroit was close to dealing Killian Hayes prior to Monty Williams’ arrival, but the coach, who had been watching Hayes from afar during the first two seasons of the Frenchman’s career, wanted to work with the 6-foot-5, 22-year-old guard.
Hayes expressed his desire to remain with the Pistons in January, stating that he has spent his entire NBA career in Detroit and would be delighted to stay. After then, it’s not just me who makes the decisions; Detroit is my home. It has been my home for three or four years, and I hope to stay.
