Brooklyn Nets Add Guard Depth, Sign Former No. 7 Overall Pick

The Brooklyn Nets still have Ben Simmons, which means they are looking to bolster their point guard depth behind the mostly absent former All-Star. They've done it with a low-risk, high-reward type of signing, agreeing to terms with free agent and former Detroit Pistons lottery pick Killian Hayes.

Former No. 7 pick Killian Hayes has agreed to a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hayes will have a chance to compete for a roster spot with Nets. pic.twitter.com/69N6rxGRKx
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 25, 2024

Insider Shams Charania says that Hayes "will have a chance to compete for a roster spot." It's a similar type of addition as Ziaire Williams a couple of weeks back—a lottery pick who has not lived up to his draft billing.

Hayes was selected with the #7 pick overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, but he just never panned out for the Pistons the way they had hoped.

The 23-year-old was handed the keys to the lead guard spot for much of the 2022-23 season when Cade Cunningham missed most of the year due to injury. And while there were some flashes from Hayes, as he averaged 10.3 points and 6.2 assists in increased minutes, his production and impact took a tumble this past season, and the Pistons waived him in February.

Hayes will have every chance to prove himself in Brooklyn, as the team is starting from scratch on a total rebuild.

While they still have Simmons at the point (because, basically, no other team would be foolish enough to touch him), it's obvious that there will be plenty of opportunity for Hayes to take the ball as the lead guard, as Simmons has played just 57 games total over the last three seasons.

The Nets also have Dennis Schroder at the point, who is the presumed starter for now, though he will be traded as soon as the Nets can find a deal for him and his expiring contract. They also have newly-acquired Shake Milton, but he is also not young or talented enough to factor into the Nets' future, while they're taking a chance that Hayes just might be.