Maccabi Tel Aviv Opens Negotiations with Former NBA Guard Killian Hayes
Maccabi Tel Aviv has initiated talks with former NBA guard Killian Hayes to strengthen its backcourt following an injury to Iffe Lundberg. The 25-year-old French free agent is considering a move to the EuroLeague.
Maccabi Tel Aviv has opened negotiations with French guard Killian Hayes as the club searches for backcourt reinforcements following an injury to Iffe Lundberg. The 25-year-old player, standing 1.93 meters tall, is currently a free agent.
Hayes was selected seventh overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, two picks ahead of Deni Avdija, entering the league with high expectations after a stint with ratiopharm Ulm. Across four seasons in Detroit, he struggled to meet expectations largely due to shooting inconsistencies, though he displayed strong playmaking and defensive skills. His best statistical campaign came in the 2022/23 season, averaging 10.3 points, 6.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 76 appearances.
In total, Hayes has logged 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. Despite his passing vision, his shooting percentages remained low, converting 37.7 percent from the field and just 28 percent from beyond the arc over his NBA career.
After parting ways with Detroit in February 2024, Hayes struggled to secure a permanent spot in the league, playing six games for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2024/25 season and appearing in 23 games for the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 assists in 17.7 minutes. He is now weighing a potential move to the EuroLeague as Maccabi evaluates options to bolster its roster.
