The Cleveland Cavaliers plan to bring free-agent guard Killian Hayes to training camp on a non-guaranteed contract, according to a league source, with the move first reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
Hayes, 24, was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2020 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-5 point guard appeared in six games for the Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 9.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 38 percent from three-point range.
The agreement comes days after reports that Cleveland is signing veteran center Thomas Bryant, reinforcing a roster that is awaiting the return of All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who is recovering from offseason toe surgery.
If Garland is not ready to open the season, the Cavaliers’ point-guard depth chart currently features Lonzo Ball and Craig Porter Jr., with second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson and All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell also capable of handling ball-handling duties. Adding Hayes provides another option as camp begins.
Hayes’ most productive NBA campaign came in 2022-23 with Detroit, when he played in 76 games and posted averages of 10.3 points and 6.2 assists. He has also logged time in the NBA G League during his four-year professional career.
Contract terms were not disclosed, but training-camp deals are typically non-guaranteed and allow teams to evaluate players before the start of the regular season.
Source: Hoops Wire