The Brooklyn Nets made a surprise signing on July 25 by agreeing to a deal with former lottery selection Killian Hayes. The 6’5 guard was waived by the Pistons in February and did not land with another team. He is only 23 years old but struggled mightily in his first four NBA seasons. He has produced a negative VORP each year and his impact has been minimal on both ends of the floor.
Brooklyn is rebuilding after trading Mikal Bridges to the Knicks for a massive haul of draft capital. The Nets got their first-round selections back in 2025 and 2026 in a separate trade. They appear set to enter the Cooper Flagg derby this season, but one prospect cannot do it alone. The Nets have multiple players, including Cameron Johnson, on the trade block. The goal is maximizing their draft capital to build a contender with depth long-term.
Signing Hayes is all upside for the franchise. The 22-year-old still has potential. If he realizes it, Brooklyn will have a quality rotation piece. The signing is unlikely to work, but that may help the Nets accomplish their ultimate goal.
Signing Killian Hayes is a win-win for the Nets
The Pistons won just 50 of the 210 games that Hayes played in since being drafted seventh overall in 2020. Detroit was near the bottom of the standings every year with the 6’5 guard averaging 26.1 minutes per game. The franchise gave him plenty of opportunities, but Hayes could not put it together in the Motor City.
The Nets need a point guard behind Dennis Schroder. Hayes will have a chance to prove he improved his jumper, scoring efficiency, shooting, and defense. If he cannot, there will be plenty of struggles and losses in Brooklyn. Several teams will be tanking for Cooper Flagg, so every defeat will matter.
Hayes is not the only second-draft player the Nets have acquired. Ziaire Williams and Keon Johnson will also hope to prove they belong in the NBA. Hayes is the oldest player in that group and all three should be years away from their primes. If Brooklyn can turn one of them into a rotation piece, that is a win for the Nets as they look to uncover underrated talents.
Hayes was so bad in Detroit that nobody signed him when he was waived in February. Fans should have minimal expectations, but he was a top-ten draft pick for several reasons. Can he turn that potential into production in Brooklyn? Either way, the Nets win with this signing.