5 Potential buyout candidates the Oklahoma City Thunder should target
![Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4800,h_2700,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/157/01hp737mgp784h9zwjmg.jpg)
No. 4: Joe Harris, Small Forward
The Detroit Pistons took back a number of players on Trade Deadline day, which meant they had to cut a few of their current players to make room. One of those casualties was veteran wing Joe Harris, a 3-point bomber who had struggled to find his rhythm amidst injuries and a lack of playing time in Detroit.
We discussed more in depth here why Harris would be a great addition to the roster. He can step in for Isaiah Joe if needed, and overall his shooting would be valued in a number of potential lineups. If he can stay healthy and regain his rhythm he could be a rotation player by the playoffs; more likely he helps in a few games and then is valuable depth on the wing the rest of the time.
No. 3: Killian Hayes, Point Guard
The 2020 NBA Draft appeared to be absolutely loaded with primary ball-handlers. Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball at the top were seen as elite prospects, while Tyrese Haliburton slipped to the end of the lottery but was still seen as a solid player whom many had in their Top-5 (and obviously has proven to be a Top-3 player in the class). That list also included French point guard Killian Hayes, a player some draft pundits had as high as No. 1 overall on their draft boards.
Hayes ultimately went No. 7 overall to the Detroit Pistons and has failed to develop into anything more than a bench guard over the past three-plus seasons. The Pistons ended up waiving Hayes to make room for other trades, placing the 22-year-old guard on the open market.
Hayes is a solid defender and decent playmaker; the real obstacle to his development into a rotation guard is his shot, and that led The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor to suggest the Thunder, and shooting coach Chip Engelland, as an ideal landing spot.
The Spurs or Thunder are my dream NBA team for Killian Hayes. San Antonio for the French connection with Wemby, OKC for the world's best shot doctor Chip Engelland. https://t.co/jEXu8O1Cms
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 8, 2024
The Thunder have a loaded rotation and depth outside of it, so they don't have to use both of their open roster spots on veterans. They could give Killian Hayes a shot and play him heavy minutes with the Oklahoma City Blue, then give him a robust offseason development regimen. If he shows promise by training camp, they may have gained a valuable young guard. If not, they can move on before the season.