Brooklyn Nets Waive Killian Hayes: Former No. 7 Pick Eyes Comeback After Injury Setback

The Brooklyn Nets have let go of Killian Hayes, a former No. 7 draft pick, just before the 2024-25 NBA season starts. Hayes is currently recovering from a hip injury and will now join the Long Island Nets, the Nets’ G League affiliate. He will focus on his recovery there and try to earn a new NBA contract.

Killian Hayes entered the NBA in 2020 when the Detroit Pistons selected him with the seventh pick in the draft. At 6’5″, people had high hopes for the guard, but injuries and inconsistent play have made it difficult for him to reach his potential. In his four seasons with the Pistons, Hayes averaged 8.1 points and 5.2 assists per game, but he struggled with his shooting and missed a lot of time due to injuries, especially with his hip.

His hip problems began in January 2021 when he tore his right labrum. Since then, the injury has come back several times, including this year, which kept him out of all four of the Nets’ preseason games.

The Nets signed Hayes in September after he was waived by Detroit. General Manager Sean Marks said they wanted to give young players like Hayes another chance. “We thought it was worth giving Killian a shot, a player who hasn’t reached his potential yet, but still has room to grow,” Marks said.

Hayes signed an Exhibit 10 contract, which is a non-guaranteed deal usually given to players to try out during training camp. Unfortunately, Hayes couldn’t play in any preseason games because of his hip injury, reducing his chances to show his skills on the court.

Even though Hayes didn’t play in the preseason, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez was happy with his practice work. “He’s a true point guard, and I’m pleased with everything he’s done so far,” Fernandez said. However, the team didn’t want to rush him back from his injury to avoid further risks.

As the regular season approaches, the Nets had to make a difficult decision and chose to let go of Hayes. This is a setback for the 23-year-old guard, but he will continue his basketball journey in the G League. This will give him more time to recover and improve his game in a less pressured environment.

At just 23 years old, Killian Hayes still has time to turn things around. If he can stay healthy and improve his performance in the G League, he could get another shot in the NBA. For now, his focus will be on getting fit and developing his skills.

The Nets’ decision to waive him is a crucial moment in his career, but it’s not the end. There’s still hope that he can make a comeback and show why he was once considered one of the NBA’s top young talents.

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