Despite starting the past five games for the Nets, Killian Hayes won’t be kept on a second 10-day contract, The Post has learned.
The move could be a sign that starting point guard D’Angelo Russell is on the brink of a return to the court.
Hayes, a former lottery pick with Detroit, came to training camp with the Nets, but a hip injury slowed him down.
The 23-year-old eventually signed a G-League contract with Long Island, but after the Nets bought out and released backup point guard Ben Simmons, they handed Hayes a 10-day contract on Feb. 20.
Since then, Hayes has appeared in all six games and started the past five in lieu of Russell.
He averaged 9.0 points, 5.2 assists and three rebounds over 27.2 minutes.
“We’ll talk [about my contract Sunday], but I’m excited,” Hayes had said. “I’m excited for this opportunity. I think it was a great time here. I was happy to be back here. So we’ll see what happens.”
Hayes’ outside shooting had been his Achilles heel and the reason the Pistons, who took him seventh overall back in 2020, let him go.
But Hayes shot much better as the G-League season progressed and hit .381 percent from 3-point range in his Nets cameo.
Now, he’ll have to hope he put enough on tape to impress and get either another 10-day somewhere down the line or a look from another team.
“I think from the first game to 1740981774, just being able to be comfortable and just play my game, being aggressive, that’s kind of like my main thing, just to stay loose,” Hayes said. “As long as I can get into the paint, get my guys open every shot, that’s all I want to do.”
It’s unclear whether Hayes would head back to G-League Long Island or if he gets an offer from another NBA team.
The Nets, who will have a vacant roster spot, return to the court on Tuesday in San Antonio.
Russell has missed the past five games with a sprained right ankle.
He suffered the injury during the Feb. 20 loss to Cleveland, which was Hayes’ debut.
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