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Detroit has quite a few point guards to consider to utilize in the starting lineup but it could very well be Pistons rookie Killian Hayes that ultimately gets the nod to start the season.
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey on Tuesday addressed the media prior to the start of training camp and said the goal this season is to feed the younger players. However, the team also has Derrick Rose and Delon Wright in the mix also, which Casey called a good problem to have.
One advantage (Hayes) has is playing in the pro league in Europe, playing an NBA-style game and playing against men in the league over there. He has a step ahead. Is there going to be a learning curve? Yes, and we expect it. He’s a smart young man, he’s got a passing skill set, he’s got a shooting skill set that improved last year over the season. He’s got two great guys to learn from in Wright and Rose.
Hayes, who was signed by the Pistons on Monday, averaged 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 20 games last season with ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. He also has prior experience with Cholet and was the MVP of the U16 European Champion in 2017 with France.
Casey pointed to the advanced plays Hayes ran last season in Germany as encouraging to run the Pistons’ offense. The speed of the game will be a challenge for Hayes, along with the rest of the rookies on the team, but he projects to have a smooth transition.
Regardless if Hayes starts to begin the season or not, the 19-year-old appears to be on track to play a large role with the Pistons this season. The team is certainly building toward the future and Hayes projects to be a big piece moving forward.
The Pistons will begin preseason play on Dec. 11 vs. the New York Knicks.
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