The growing list of players the Golden State Warriors may prefer over LaMelo Ball added another potential name to it in recent days and weeks. While reports of the likes of Deni Avdija, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards being seen more favorably than Ball by Golden State, another point guard may have added to the list this week.
In reporting on LaMelo and father LaVar in the San Francisco Chronicle, Connor Letourneau noted that French point guard Killian Hayes may be ranked more highly than Ball.
“With less than two months until the draft, the Warriors are believed to be higher on Iowa State point guard Tyrese Haliburton — and perhaps, even French point guard Killian Hayes — than they are on Ball.”
With ratiopharm Ulm last season, Hayes averaged 11.5 points, 5.3 assists and shot 29% from range. The general consensus on Hayes is that he is a tier below Ball as well as other top prospects in Edwards and James Wiseman.
It’s hard to imagine that the Warriors view him as a better prospect, though it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Instead, it’s more likely they see him as better value than Ball.
Hayes would make more sense if the Warriors traded back with a team like the Knicks into the middle stages of the lottery.