Report: Monty Williams Vetoed Potential Pistons Trade

The Detroit Pistons have some work to do at the trade deadline, trying to shake up a roster that has been historically dreadful thus far this season, stumbling along to a 6-41 mark, still threatening the all-time worst NBA record of 9-73 (Philadelphia 76ers, 1972-73). 

They had tried to pull off a deal this past summer which would have sent guard Killian Hayes packing, but incoming head coach Monty Williams put a stop to it, per a report from James L. Edwards III in The Athletic. 

It is my understanding that Detroit was close to trading Hayes before Williams’ arrival, but the coach, who had been intrigued by Hayes from afar during the first two seasons of the Frenchman’s career, wanted a chance to work with the 6-foot-5, 22-year-old guard. Hayes and the Pistons weren’t close on extension talks earlier this year and, with that, it felt like Williams’ intrigue in Hayes was the last attempt at trying to salvage his time in the Motor City.

Now, after Hayes was benched for the Pistons' entire game on Wednesday night, completing a trend of less and less court time for the point guard, perhaps Williams is re-thinking the whole thing. 

All of Hayes' numbers have cratered this season, with his 6.9 points, 4.8 assists and 23.9 minutes a night all being major drop-offs from last year. 

Hayes was the Pistons' No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but they've done nothing but acquire more and more point guards since then, and as Edwards noted in summary about Hayes:

It’s just become clear his time in Detroit is coming to an end. Wednesday night felt like the unofficial ending.

With Hayes becoming a restricted free agent at season's end, it'll be interesting to see if any team takes a shot at trading for him before next week's deadline. 

 Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports