How the rookies fit with their teams and what it means for the NBA

Killian Hayes was the perfect No. 7 pick for Detroit

This is where players like Killian Hayes fit into the equation. Hayes’ draft spot at No. 7 by the Detroit Pistons is as close to perfect as it gets. Hayes is a 6’5” point guard and he plays like a pro with a combination of ball-handling, passing and admiration for Tony Parker. You can see the comparison between Parker and Hayes on the court. Of course, off the court, they are both from France and that’s most likely where the young point guard learned the most about his basketball idol, but it’s also in the way that the young floor general plays and that is a bonus.

At the point guard position, Hayes was expected to play behind Derrick Rose since the veteran point guard didn’t move elsewhere in the offseason, but what’s impressive is that Hayes was starting in front of his teammate while Rose was coming off the bench. That’s really impressive. Hayes has new teammates Delon Wright, Josh Jackson and Jerami Grant, and having a slew of deserving young talent who have earned starting roles themselves will certainly help him more than hurt.

Anyone watching this rebuilding Pistons team probably wishes there could be a six-man lineup so that Rose can start with his team. But alas, Hayes has it.

Alas, Killian is going to, as they say, “kill,” and him being in the role as both point guard and new draftee helps the Pistons a lot. He will certainly keep the Pistons motor going, and it’s hard not to see shades of former point guards like his idol Tony Parker, Detroit legend Isiah Thomas, and even his vet teammate, who was unparalleled at the position, Derrick Rose. Killian is the right amount of kill, and it is killing time.

The Pistons new point guard suffered a hip injury and his return hasn’t been noted, but when he gets back on the floor he should be expected to come back better than he already was.