NBA insider Kevin O'Connor who predicted Killian Hayes to go No. 1 overall posts hilarious GIF on Nets guard's highlight reel
NBA insider Kevin O'Connor posted a hilarious GIF in response to Killian Hayes' highlight reel on X, which featured the Brooklyn Nets guard working on his game ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. Through the GIF, O'Connor conveyed that he's praying for Hayes to make a comeback in the upcoming season after he famously projected the French-American to be the No. 1 pick of the 2020 draft.
Watch the highlight reel here:
Kevin O'Connor projected Killian Hayes to go No. 1 overall in the draft over Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. However, Hayes was picked seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons in the draft and has since had an underwhelming stint with the team in the four seasons he has played yet. He was waived by the team in February, halfway through the final season of his four-year, $24 million contract.
Hayes averaged 8.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals during his time in Detroit. He also shot 38.2% from the field and 27.7% from beyond the arc as the Pistons remained among the bottom three in the league since 2020.
Ahead of the next season, the 22-year-old has reportedly signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Brooklyn Nets and will have a chance to compete for the roster spot.
Kevin O'Connor names Killian Hayes as his biggest mistake
During an episode of "The Ringer's NBA Draft Show" podcast in May 2023, Kevin O'Connor named projecting Killian Hayes for the No. 1 pick of the 2020 NBA draft as his biggest mistake. He also elaborated on his reasons for making the pick.
"Definitely my biggest mistake of all time, hopefully it is my biggest mistake of all time," O'Connor said. "Ranking Killian Hayes over LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards was not me trying to be different, I've never dont that in my 10 years covering the draft. I just try to do what I think is the best rankings, based off my own evaluation.
"With Hayes, the bet was on his scoring translating. Overseas, playing in France, he would hit step-back threes, he shot 80+ percent from the free-throw line, he used his big 6-foot-5 body to get to the basket, it was a bet on the scoring developing.
"That has failed completely. His shot is still inconsistent, he has not improved his offhand, he's not drawing fouls, he's not getting to the rim, he's timid, I think there's confidence issues, and with Hayes, that bet was wrong."
Watch the segment at 6:06 here:
While Kevin O'Connor has acknowledged his mistake, it seems that he is still rooting for Killian Hayes to make a comeback in the league. Maybe the switch in teams will give Hayes the spark he needs. We'll find out soon enough as the next NBA season kicks off next month.