Killian Hayes
The Houston Rockets are badly in need of a point guard. There have been days this year where Reed Sheppard has been able to make big shots for the team. But, over the past few weeks, his game has regressed a bit.
Career G-Leaguer JD Davison has earned the trust of Ime Udoka of late, but hasn’t been able to fill the playmaking void that the Fred VanVleet injury has left. Nor has Aaron Holiday, who finds himself now on the outside looking in from the rotation.
Amen Thompson does a lot for the basketball team in Houston, but facilitating is not a strong suit of his that can win them games.
Putting Josh Okogie at the 1 spot is not a solution, as he lacks the ability to space the floor.
What the Rockets need is a point guard, and good news for them, one is available and can be had for pretty cheap. We’re talking to you, Killian Hayes.
The former Pistons lottery pick has been thriving in the G-League this year. Let’s discuss.
Killian Hayes Makes Perfect Sense for Rockets
As the Rockets struggled to score down the stretch against the Thunder on Thursday night, it was clear there was a problem. They stopped scoring the ball, as the ball movement wasn’t there. As OKC began double-teaming and playing lockdown defense, there wasn’t a player to break the press or find the open man.
Killian Hayes has been a revelation for the Cleveland Charge. One of the best players in the G-League this season, he has been showing things he couldn’t do consistently during his first NBA stint. Of course, Hayes did get a brief spell with the Nets late last season. They didn’t extend a second 10-day, though.
Hayes hasn’t shown to have any weaknesses with his performance this season. He is in the process of fixing the (poor) jumper that plagued him in Detroit. The playmaking and pace-pushing have both been there. Two things that would have him fitting in nicely in a reserve role with the Rockets.
In total, Hayes has been averaging nearly 26 points and 10 assists per game for the Cleveland Charge. He’s making 45.7% of his shots, and nearly 30% of his triples.
Compared to the production that Houston has gotten from their point guards this year, a 10-day audition, at the least, couldn’t hurt.
Killian Hayes Ready for NBA Again
Killian Hayes was one of many lottery picks by the former Pistons regime that just didn’t work. The team did a whole lot of losing for a number of years, before finally turning a corner under first-year coach JB Bickerstaff last season.
Hayes has been proving these last two years in the G-League that he belongs back in the association. Houston is a team with championship aspirations, and in need of a steady floor general.
This could be an answer for them. Who better to find Kevin Durant and Alperen Sgneun in their spots than a player who can facilitate like Hayes has been?
It is very likely that the Rockets will trade for an experienced point guars at the trade deadline. Of course, that is still three weeks away. A flyer on Hayes, could help them at least see what they might get.
Time will tell of Houston considers this option, but the PG would add the necessary playmaking.