Killian Hayes Eyed by EuroLeague Giants After Maccabi Tel Aviv Deal Collapses
After Maccabi Tel Aviv failed to secure Killian Hayes, European outlets have linked the former NBA guard with potential moves to Olimpia Milano, Olympiacos, Baskonia, Real Madrid, and PAOK.
Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Oded Kattash recently admitted that the club was close to signing French guard Killian Hayes, agreeing to all his terms before the deal ultimately fell through. While Hayes will not be heading to Tel Aviv, the player is expected to land in the EuroLeague soon, prompting BasketNews to evaluate his most likely landing spots.
Among the top contenders mentioned by the outlet is Olimpia Milano, which has struggled to an 8-1 record start and clearly needs to re-enter the transfer market to bolster its backcourt. Olympiacos was also highlighted, as Giorgos Bartzokas's squad copes with an injury to Jean Montero, making Hayes an ideal tactical fit. Other potential destinations include Baskonia, seeking backcourt stability following Marcus Howard's departure, and Real Madrid, where head coach Pedro Martinez is actively looking to resolve perimeter issues.
PAOK Thessaloniki, coached by Andrea Trinchieri, has emerged as another ambitious suitor. Having previously pursued Tyler Dorsey and Chris Jones, the Greek side believes Trinchieri's motivational prowess could help jumpstart Hayes's career after limited NBA minutes in recent seasons.
Selected seventh overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons—two spots ahead of Deni Avdija—Hayes arrived in North America with massive expectations after starring for German club Ratiopharm Ulm. Across four seasons in Detroit, he struggled with shooting efficiency but flashed strong playmaking and defensive skills. His best individual campaign came in 2022-23, averaging 10.3 points, 6.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 76 appearances.
Overall, Hayes appeared in 239 regular-season NBA games, posting career averages of 7.9 points, 5.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 25.3 minutes per contest. However, his shooting percentages remained a persistent weakness, finishing with a 37.7% mark from the field and just 28% from beyond the arc.
Following his departure from Detroit in February 2024, Hayes struggled to secure a permanent NBA roster spot. He played six games for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2024-25 season and featured in 23 contests for the Sacramento Kings last year, averaging 5.5 points and 3.5 assists in 17.7 minutes per game.
