Former Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets guard Killian Hayes has reportedly garnered a lot of interest from teams in the EuroLeague. As a 6’5″ guard with playmaking ability, it is evident why teams would want to acquire him.
However, the 24-year-old has opted to back himself this offseason. By rejecting offers from teams in Europe, Hayes has showcased an interest in returning to the NBA for the 2025-26 season. Needless to say, as a free agent, the road ahead will be challenging.
Hayes appeared for the Brooklyn Nets last season, playing in six games with the team between February and March before sustaining a hip injury. Given that he was on a 10-day contract with the team, the guard found himself out of the league after the Nets opted not to extend another offer to him.
During this stint, he notched an average of 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, while shooting 41.9% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range.
Before this, Hayes made 18 appearances for the Nets’ G League affiliate team, the Long Island Nets, where he averaged 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game.
The young French guard has the tools and skill set to be a solid rotational piece for a team in the league. With this in mind, we explore four potential free agent landing spots for Hayes next season.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors could be an ideal landing spot for a player such as Killian Hayes. When considering his passing prowess and flexibility, the 24-year-old would integrate into the team’s rotation.
This move would also be in the Warriors’ best interest. When examining their depth chart, Golden State appears to be lacking in several positions. But their backcourt seems to be a point of concern.
While Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Buddy Hield make for a solid guard rotation, the Warriors are limited in the overall scheme of things. When considering that they are expected to sign De’Anthony Melton and re-sign Gary Payton II, they could address these issues. But the current dealings with Jonathan Kuminga appear to have held up these moves.
As a left-handed guard, Hayes could be a solid backup for Podziemski. While his defense is limited, the 24-year-old brings a solid element of playmaking, which could be a positive sign for the team.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are among the more unfortunate teams heading into next season. After making an impressive title charge recently, the Pacers are likely to find themselves removed from the title picture next season due to the absence of Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton’s injury has paved the way for players such as Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell, and Ben Sheppard to gain significant playing time in the upcoming season. Still, the Pacers could look at improving their playmaking depth by adding Killian Hayes.
The 24-year-old has shown a knack for moving the ball around. Given his experience of playing next to Cade Cunningham, he has also developed a reliable off-ball game. His improved shooting efficiency could be a bonus, as this versatility could make him a rotation player.
Indiana often goes deep into their rotation, relying on every player to contribute in some capacity. While Hayes may not be a star on the team, he could stand a chance to receive valuable playing time, earning him an opportunity to emerge as a solid contributor.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have made some questionable moves to kick off their offseason. By parting ways with some key players, the Jazz appear to be committed to tanking next season.
But this could be an opportunity as well. While the intention is to develop their young core of Keyonte George and Ace Bailey, Utah could look at signing Hayes to fill out their backcourt bench rotation.
Since trading Collin Sexton and letting Jordan Clarkson walk in free agency, the Jazz have seen a drop-off in playmaking and scoring depth.
Hayes’ offensive versatility would pair well with the Jazz’s second unit. Given the kind of situation Utah is in, the French guard could thrive in a role off the bench if he receives relevant playing time.
The Jazz aren’t set up to be a playoff team next season. The reduced pressure and expectation could allow the 24-year-old to establish himself as an impactful player, potentially earning the interest of other teams around the league.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been an intriguing team to follow this offseason. After offloading Kevin Durant and buying out Bradley Beal, the Suns have effectively kicked off a rebuild centered around Devin Booker.
While the current roster features some talented players, it is evident that they are lacking in the playmaking department. With Jalen Green being asked to take on the role of the point guard, the Suns could look to acquire a player like Hayes to address the lack of playmaking in the backcourt.
Joining the Suns may not prove to be as beneficial for Hayes as some of the other teams in this list. While he could certainly be an effective player in the right situation, the Suns, as constructed, may only utilize him as insurance in case of injury.
Given that Booker and Green will be the focal point of the offense, it is unlikely that the 24-year-old will receive a lot of playing time, especially with Grayson Allen being a key player in the rotation.
Does Killian Hayes Belong In The NBA?
The NBA features some of the most gifted and talented athletes in the world. Carving out a spot for oneself in such conditions is always going to be a challenge.
Regarding Hayes, the guard displayed a lot of potential during his tenure with the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, due to a series of underwhelming performances, paired with the arrival of Jaden Ivey, he found himself falling out of their rotation.
Last season, he found himself in a similar situation with the Nets. Hayes earned himself a fair amount of playing time and even proved to be marginally productive for the team.
In many ways, the time in the G League appears to have helped the guard establish some rhythm, especially with his three-point shooting. Although this is a positive sign, it may not be enough to carve out a place for himself alongside the other talented guards vying for a place in the league.
