Killian

Hayes

The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft, Hayes agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Nets this summer. Unfortunately, a hip injury kept him from competing for a roster spot during the preseason. According to Charania, Hayes plans to continue rehabbing the hip injury before working to earn an NBA deal as part of the Nets’ G League affiliate on Long Island.

After failing to do so with the Pistons, Hayes gets a second chance to establish himself in the NBA. The seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft, he averaged 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 0.9 steals in 24.0 minutes per game before being waived by Detroit at the February trade deadline. Fantasy managers should not have Hayes on their radars, even with the Nets embarking on a rebuild after trading Mikal Bridges to the Nets.

Hayes was the No. 7 pick in the draft just three years ago, and now he will be a free agent. There had been rumors of the two parties planning to part ways, but right before the deadline, the expectation was that it would be a trade. He’ll now have the chance to sign with a new squad, but there isn’t a good scenario that will allow him to provide much fantasy value.

Detroit will have three new starters for this game, with Cade Cunningham and Bojan Bogdanovic sidelined and Kevin Knox traded to the Jazz. Thompson should be the best streaming option, though Hayes should provide assists, while Muscala can knock down some 3-pointers.

Detroit could be without their two leading scorers on Wednesday, which should open up starting spots for Killian Hayes and Ausar Thompson, though Alec Burks could also fill one of those spots. Jaden Ivey would also take on more responsibility on the offensive end and could be in for a big night.

Cade has been able to play in three of their last four games, though he did sit one leg of a back-to-back. He was a very late scratch in that game, so there is a chance that he plays in their back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday. However, if he doesn’t Killian Hayes should return to the starting lineup.

Cunningham is on track to be available for Friday’s game. Killian Hayes would fill the resulting void in the starting lineup if things changed. He would not be worth streaming in that role, as he’s offered minimal value at best.

Cunningham was able to practice on Tuesday after being a late scratch on Sunday. Now, he is expected to play on Wednesday. His expected return would push Killian Hayes to the bench, where he won’t play enough to impact fantasy basketball.

Hayes was a late addition to the starting lineup, as the Pistons ruled out Cade Cunningham just before tipoff. While it was too late for managers to change their lineups, they missed nothing with Hayes. Give him credit for the three assists, but Sunday was a day for Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser, and Monte Morris (9/1/2/1 with one 3-pointer in 14 minutes. Cunningham should be back for Wednesday’s game in Cleveland, so the few who could stream Hayes can drop him onto the waiver wire.

Cunningham was scratched just before tipoff in a brutal turn of events for fantasy managers. As a result, Killian Hayes was inserted into the starting lineup. Hayes hasn’t been a great streaming option this season, and it’s too late for fantasy managers to make the change anyway.