The Cleveland Cavaliers have made a major roster move as the 2025-26 season approaches.
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The Cavaliers have waived former lottery pick guard Killian Hayes. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype shared the news via X.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived Killian Hayes, league sources told @hoopshype. Hayes is expected to join Cleveland’s G League affiliate as he looks for another NBA opportunity. Hayes averaged 9.0 points and 5.2 assists in 27 minutes during six games for the Nets last season.” Scotto wrote.
Scotto also added that Hayes is expected to join the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
Hayes entered the league with much expectation as he was selected No. 7 overall by the Detroit Pistons during the 2020 NBA Draft. He started his career in the Motor City, playing four seasons for the Cavaliers’ division rivals.
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In four seasons and 210 games, Hayes averaged 8.1 points per game, 5.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 27.7 percent from the field in 26.1 minutes of action.
A little over halfway through the 2023-24 season, the Pistons waived their former lottery pick. He did not play the rest of the season as he remained a free agent until September 2024.
Hayes signed with the Nets prior to the 2024-25 season, but was waived a few weeks later. A few days later, he joined the Nets’ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.
Hayes played in six games for the Nets towards the end of the 2024-25 season. In those contests, Hayes averaged 9.0 points per game, 5.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.7 steals while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. He started in five of the six games he played in.
It’s been an uphill battle for the Florida native throughout his NBA career. Hayes has struggled to find any real scoring and shooting consistency, and his numbers over the years reflect that.
The 24-year-old, 6-foot-5 guard will look to make a name for himself in the G League again and look for a real shot in the NBA, whether that is with the Cavaliers or elsewhere.
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