Kings To Sign Killian Hayes To 10-Day Contract
The Kings plan to sign free agent guard killian hayes to a 10-day contract, a move that matters because the team has an open standard roster spot and can bring him in without waiving anyone. The short-term deal gives the Kings a low-commitment chance to evaluate a former lottery pick who has spent most of the past two seasons outside the NBA.
Killian Hayes' G League production
Hayes has recent G League numbers that stand out. Last season, with a Brooklyn-affiliated G League team in Long Island, he averaged 17. 3 points, 7. 4 assists, 5. 4 rebounds and 2. 0 steals while shooting. 463/. 371/. 689 across 33 games, at 32. 9 minutes per contest. This season, through 28 games with the Cleveland Charge, he has averaged 23. 1 points, 8. 3 assists, 3. 9 rebounds and 1. 7 steals on. 468/. 325/. 800 shooting. Those figures show a notable increase in scoring and playmaking in his most recent work at the G League level.
Why the Kings moved now
The timing is tied directly to roster mechanics and Hayes' recent availability. The Kings have an opening on their standard roster, which means they can sign him without waiving another player. Hayes, still just 24 years old, was originally selected seventh overall in the 2020 draft but struggled with offensive efficiency during his time with the Pistons and was waived in February 2024. He also had a brief NBA stint on a 10-day deal this season and previously signed an Exhibit 10 training-camp deal that was structured to reward him for playing with the Cavaliers' affiliate.
Short-term expectations and outlook
With a 10-day contract, immediate expectations are limited: the Kings will be assessing fit, ball-handling, and whether Hayes' G League scoring and assist rates translate in NBA minutes. If he maintains the scoring and playmaking levels he showed with the Charge, he could offer the Kings an offensive lift off the bench; if not, his role could be minimal. Playing time and a defined role with the Kings are not publicly confirmed for the 10-day window.
Operationally, the deal carries low risk for the Kings because the roster spot is available and no one needs to be waived. For Hayes, the contract represents another short-term NBA audition after recent G League success and a brief earlier 10-day NBA stint. The next observable indicators to watch are whether he appears in the Kings' rotation during the 10-day period and how his minutes and production compare with his G League lines.
Overall, the signing is a clear evaluation move: it leverages a roster opening to test whether a player with strong G League numbers and previous NBA exposure can provide immediate bench value. The outcome will hinge on in-game performance during the 10-day stretch and how the Kings choose to use him.
For now, the signing is scheduled to proceed using the available roster spot, and the team will decide on any longer-term steps after the short-term contract concludes and the club evaluates on-court results.
