Knicks Draft: A Scout and non-believer talk Killian Hayes

Discussing Killian Hayes: Similar to Frank Ntilikina?

2. I don’t think Killian Hayes and Frank Ntilikina are similar players, but I do see similarities: similar size, play at a similarly controlled (slow?) pace, both strong defensively, both with jump shooting issues, particularly from deep. 

In Frank’s last season in France, he shot 37.5% from 3, and despite possessing sound mechanics and shooting good-to-great from the free-throw line, he has not found his range in the NBA.  Per Tankathon, Killian Hayes shot 29% from 3 this year.  Why won’t he struggle like Frank has? 

SPENCER: Full transparency, I thought Frank’s shot would translate quicker…that’s still an odd one for me to pin down.

I don’t think 112 threes from Frank or 100 from Hayes is really enough to say one was a better shooter at the same stage. Hayes took – and made -10 fewer threes than Frank. Who’s to say Hayes wouldn’t have gone on a burner and hit 10 threes in a row over a mini-stretch? (My point is that the volume is low, so it’s not fair to make any judgment either way.)

If there’s a reason for me to think Hayes will fare better, it’s because of the touch he has already shown off the bounce and him being a significantly better FT shooter. Hayes has to get the footwork/rhythm down on C&S jumpers, which might take some time…but that’s not to say it won’t come. I just think those who think he’s a non-shooter are off-base.

Last piece on the two of them – Frank’s jumpers were mostly C&S, whereas most of Hayes’ came off the dribble (including stepbacks and sidesteps). Obviously it depends on the player, but off-bounce jumpers are generally viewed as the harder shots – so taking that into account vs Frank’s spot-up jumpers, is it really fair to say one is *that* much better? Swap roles, does Frank shoot as well? Does Killian? The world will never know.

3. With the exception of setting up his stepback, Killian can’t (or just doesn’t?) go right.  How concerning is this?

SPENCER: I swear I did not read this before writing my first answer, haha.

I don’t think it’s *that* concerning. He has counters to not attacking the rim, and he still goes to floaters going to the right on occasion (though he’ll finish with his left, turning back into the defense, which is obviously bad), so I don’t think it’s a major issue. Not comparing them, but Ginobli did pretty well despite not attacking right early in his career, and Harden still prefers attacking left and using his right to get to stepbacks/sidesteps. The fact that Hayes is a threat going right because of the jumper is important – someone like Haliburton, who I don’t mean to pick on, also had major issues going to his weak hand in the paint (I don’t believe he had a single left-handed finish this year besides two tip-ins), and has no in-between game. So while it’s fair for people to criticize Hayes – or any player – for not attacking much with their weak hand, there appears to be a bigger issue with lefties doing it than righties. I think I’m the only one who’s brought up Haliburton’s lack of a left hand, and if I’m not the only one, I’m one of the few.

COMPARISONS – I give you the comp, you respond how you see fit.

Kirk Hinrich / Spencer Dinwiddie (NBADraft.net): These are interesting morphed into one. If separated, Dinwiddie is still interesting. I think Hayes has way more passing ability, but this is one I haven’t thought of.

D’Angelo Russell (multiple, including NBA.com): Hayes is the better passer, far better defender, and attacks downhill way more. Russell’s passing flashes were stunning, but they weren’t consistent high-level reads. Hayes makes really nice reads consistently throughout games, though pretty much exclusively with his left hand (at least for live-action passes). Both have great touch, though…

“Prime Goran Dragic” (Bleacher Report): Eh, I don’t see this one. Dragic was more athletic earlier in his career, and Hayes is a better defender.

Per Yahoo Sports, “Some experts have said they see flashes of James Harden and Manu Ginobili”:
Sure, there are flashes of both. Strength from Harden; footwork, touch, passing, etc. from both. That doesn’t mean Hayes will be either, or a combination of the two, but there are some similarities – I don’t think the biggest Hayes skeptic would say otherwise, either.

Do you have a better comp than these? I’ve used a Malcolm Brogdon type. Both good defenders (Brogdon being great), good passers (Hayes being very good), thicker players with strong bases, not overly explosive but play with good pace, high IQ, etc. It’s not a perfect match, either, but if I were forced to compare him to a single player (ew), I’d probably say Brogdon.