Being a lottery pick in the NBA comes with expectations. If you’re a high lottery pick, those expectations are even loftier. Players who are selected high in the lottery are typically expected to be superstars.
It doesn’t always go that way. Go back through NBA history and pick a lottery. In all likelihood, you’ll find a player that didn’t belong there. Without fail, some player is going to fall short of expectations. Players are fallible, and so are scouts.
Take Killian Hayes of the Detroit Pistons. He’s flashed some value. Still, he’s fallen well short of expectations. Perhaps that’s why it’s being rumored that the Pistons would be open to moving him. Could they send him to the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Trade Proposal
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Taurean Prince, G/F Cam Reddish
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Killian Hayes
On the other hand, every draft class is not created equally. Some classes have a clearcut first overall pick. Everyone knows that he’s going to be the top choice. Other classes are mired in uncertainty.
Such was the 2020 draft. Pundits thought that Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, and LaMelo Ball all had a case to go first. In the end, Edwards was selected. He’s looked like the right call, although Ball would have been a great selection. Wiseman? Not so much.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Killian Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers & Detroit Pistons Updates
Meanwhile, even Hayes had some fans near the top of the draft. In the end, he’d go 7th to the Pistons. Unfortunately, Hayes has struggled to even meet those expectations. On the other hand, few players have met expectations as well as LeBron James. Should the Lakers pair him with Hayes?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Let’s talk about Hayes. What are his strengths and weaknesses? Well, his weaknesses are well-established. Hayes struggles to create in the halfcourt. He doesn’t have the athletic gifts or the variety of moves to regularly beat his defender. So: why are the Lakers acquiring him here?
Well, Hayes is a good defender. He’s also a good passer. Perhaps he’ll never be a star. Still, this is a player with some tools. Hayes can contribute – and he may benefit from a change of scenery as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Killian Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers & Detroit Pistons Updates
Couldn’t learning from James help him? The Lakers are taking a gamble here. They’re also exploiting a buy-low opportunity. If Hayes can be a serviceable backup floor general for them, they’ll be happy to pay the price they’re paying for him. Should the Pistons give him up?
Why The Detroit Pistons Do The Deal
This will be a disappointment for Pistons fans. We understand that. Selecting a player in the lottery, only to flip him for another disappointing young player and a role player is unfortunate. It may be necessary for the Pistons.
After all, the Pistons selected Hayes in 2020. They selected Cade Cunningham in 2021. Then, they selected Jaden Ivey in 2022. Now, this team has a glut of young point guards. If Hayes is going to turn his career around, it’s not likely to happen in Detroit.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Killian Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers & Detroit Pistons Updates
For that reason, his trade value is in the gutter. So, the Pistons may have to take what they can get. Who knows? Reddish could still turn his career around. Like Hayes, he was a lottery pick – and so far, he’s fallen short of expectations too.
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