Killian Hayes’ Role Alongside Cade Cunningham Becoming Clearer in Pistons' Offense

The 2020-21 season was a rough one for Detroit Pistons guard Killian Hayes, as the first-round pick only appeared in 26 games due to injuries. 

Now, Hayes is trying to carve out a role alongside No. 1 overall pick Cade Cunningham with Detroit next season. Cunningham, who is looked at as a generational talent, is the favorite to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award on WynnBET. 

The two guards played alongside each other in the Pistons’ first NBA Summer League game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Hayes finished with six points (2-for-6 shooting), nine rebounds and five assists while Cunningham scored 12 points to go with six boards, two dimes and five turnovers. 

Hayes took a bit more of a playmaking role than Cunningham, but both guards should handle the duties throughout the 2021-22 season.

WynnBET currently has a prop for the league leader in assists, and Hayes (+20000) is on the odds list while Cunningham didn’t make the cut. That seems to signal that oddsmakers see Hayes as the primary playmaker in Detroit, but things are still early in the offseason. 

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Hayes averaged 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game last season but he struggled with his shot, going just 35.3 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from beyond the arc. 

Cunningham may be the star possession for Detroit, but Hayes’ development is just as important to the Pistons’ rebuild. How the two mesh on the floor together will be crucial, but as bigger guards they both possess the ability to be a mismatch on offense while also providing solid defense for Detroit. 

The Pistons will face the Houston Rockets and No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green tonight in their second NBA Summer League game. Detroit is a 3.5-point favorite on WynnBET and is -160 to get the win over Houston (+140).

The odds listed in this breakdown are available over at WynnBET. Make your pick.