Former Pistons first-rounder gets rave reviews from Nets

This offseason, Hayes signed with the Brooklyn Nets. The rebuilding Atlantic Division franchise appeared to give the former Piston a second chance in the NBA. Unfortunately, an injury has kept him off the field in public.

Hayes is struggling with a hip injury and only plays privately. According to Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, those sessions went well in the eyes of the coaching staff.

“He’s doing well,” Fernandez said prior to the Nets’ most recent preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. ‘He is recovering. He’s not here (in Philly). He just worked on coming back and being right.”

Hayes has yet to make his Nets debut. Brooklyn hosts the Toronto Raptors on Friday, which is its last chance to participate in the preseason. While Fernandez is optimistic that Hayes will be healthy soon, he made two things clear:

There’s no guarantee that Hayes will make his debut in the Finals, and the Nets won’t rush him onto the court.

“I would like to play him, but we will assess him when we come back and see what we can do there,” the head coach continued. “We are not going to rush him, because his health is our priority. … You don’t have to take any risks. He did a good job.”

Overall, the Nets are “happy” with Hayes. Will his practice sessions be enough to make him stay? It remains to be seen.

Hayes, a former seventh overall pick, left the Pistons with 210 games played. He shot 38 percent from the field and scored eight points and five assists per game.

Because he is on an Exhibit 10 contract, Hayes is not guaranteed to remain with the Nets beyond the preseason. If he sees the NBA G League as a logical route in his comeback, there will be a place for him on Long Island.