Killian Hayes Draft Profile
Killian Hayes is one of the top prospects in this 2020 draft class.
He’s my favorite prospect in this 2020 draft class by a wide margin. His skills will translate into a long NBA career.
Killian Hayes is 19 and plays professionally in Germany. He’s been playing professionally since he was 16 years old. Born in Lakeland, FL, and raised in France, Hayes has several years of professional experience already at his young age. His father played in France’s Pro A league, so basketball is in his blood.
Killian is an exceptional basketball talent in a draft that, let’s be honest, isn’t as talent-rich as previous drafts, or as stacked as the upcoming 2021 draft. Killian stands out due to his incredible ball skills.
Let’s dig in a bit:
STRENGTHS:
-Passing
-Court Vision
-Pick & Roll
Killian has a superb blend of passing, vision, and pick & roll moves in his bag of skills. He’s one of the smartest players in this draft, he knows where his teammates are and where they’re going. His success in the pick & roll though is one of the reasons why I’m so high on him. He can navigate and through hedges, and any type of coverage thrown at him. This bodes well for his long term success in the NBA because you always need guys to create offense for you as Killian does.
I think Killian can be a great offensive initiator and hopefully will go to a team that will give him the opportunity to showcase these skills. His polish stands out in this class full of guys who are pretty raw on the offensive end.
WEAKNESSES:
-Right-Hand Usage
-Turnovers
-Three-Point Shot
Killian is pretty reliant on his strong hand to make plays. If he can develop a way to get to his right more, that will help keep defenses honest in their ability to contain him. I think it will come once he adds some strength over the years. Adding strength will allow him to take advantage of small guards on him and get through them when he wants too.
With any young guard, trying to play out of your element will happen and turnovers start. I think this will be fixed after several years of NBA play, he’ll learn and solve these issues. The talent is too strong to let a learning curve stop you from drafting him.
Shooting is the most harped on skill nowadays, and Killian hasn’t been strong in that department, shooting only 29% from 3. But watching his film, his shot is nowhere near a lost cause. He has solid form and mechanics and shot 87% from the free-throw line, a usual indicator of future shooting metrics.
Killian Hayes Fit:
I think Killian could fit on almost any lottery team perfectly. He has great on-ball skills, paired with the height and size to play off ball. His ability to run your offense would be welcomed on most of these lottery teams. I think my favorite fit for him would be the Warriors because he would fit seamlessly into the Warriors ball movement scheme and allow Steph to play off ball. But I think the most reasonable draft slot is anywhere from 4–8. I don’t think he makes it past the Knicks, which would welcome someone who could run an offense like Killian.
Overall, Killian is my favorite prospect in this draft due to his offensive ability. I think he’ll be a starting guard for years to come with the upside to make several all star teams over his career. Any team that gets him will be extremely happy because he’s a very high IQ player and great individual.
