Former Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes is on the move again, this time in the NBA G League. The Oklahoma City Blue acquired his returning player rights in a trade with the Cleveland Charge. This news comes as the current Pistons roster prepares for their next preseason contest after a 128-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 14.
Hayes, the Pistons' No. 7 overall pick in 2020, is currently a free agent. He spent last season with the Sacramento Kings but was not retained. If he chooses to play in the G League for the 2026-27 season, his destination is now set with Oklahoma City's affiliate.
The Oklahoma City Blue acquired the rights to Hayes, forward Justyn Hamilton, and center Babatunde Akingbola. They sent the rights to guard Zack Austin and a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Cleveland Charge. The deal was officially announced by the team. This is a pure G League transaction, affecting where Hayes can play if he opts for that path this season.
Hayes is familiar with the G League grind. He played 18 games for the Long Island Nets in the 2024-25 season, putting up strong averages of 20.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. His shooting was efficient at 48.0% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. Last season with the Cleveland Charge, his scoring rose to 22.4 points per game but his three-point percentage dipped to 31.8%.
The Pistons had significant hopes for Hayes as a foundational piece. Over four seasons and 210 games in Detroit, he started 145 times. His NBA production never matched his draft pedigree, however. He averaged 8.1 points per game on just 38.2% shooting from the field. The team waived him during the 2023-24 campaign.
His struggles continued in brief NBA stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings. In 23 games with the Kings last year, he shot 30.4% from the field and averaged 5.5 points. The shooting inconsistencies that plagued him in Detroit followed him to his next stops.
The focus in Detroit is squarely on the present roster. The team's preseason schedule has seen mixed results, including a 114-108 loss to Washington on October 10 and a narrow 109-107 win over Phoenix on October 5.
Attention now turns to the next fixture on the calendar. The Pistons host the Toronto Raptors at home on October 16. It's the final preseason opportunity for the team to refine its systems before the regular season tips off.
For Killian Hayes, the immediate future is about waiting for an NBA call. The G League trade ensures he has a landing spot if he wants to play and show his skills. His performance there, particularly his improved playmaking, could be his route back to the league.
