Kings end Killian Hayes reunion by declining team option

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Kings end Killian Hayes reunion by declining team option

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Josh Davis, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jun 29, 2026 9:15 PM ET

The Sacramento Kings created another opening on their roster Monday by declining Killian Hayes’ team option and sending the former Detroit Pistons lottery pick into unrestricted free agency.

The Kings declined Hayes’ $3,018,158 option for the 2026-27 season, ending the club’s brief attempt to keep him under team control. The decision allows the 24-year-old guard to reach the open market without restrictions as NBA free agency approaches.

Hayes joined the Kings on March 15 after turning two 10-day auditions into a standard two-year contract. He flashed late-season value in Sacramento’s backcourt, scoring 16 points with eight assists vs. the Utah Jazz and adding 18 points vs. the Golden State Warriors.

Spotrac’s Keith Smith reported the decision Monday on X, formerly Twitter, confirming the move by the Kings before the free agency market officially opens Tuesday.

“The Sacramento Kings declined their team option for Killian Hayes, a league source told @spotrac.
Hayes will now be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.”

The Sacramento Kings declined their team option for Killian Hayes, a league sourced told @spotrac.

Hayes will now be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 30, 2026

The decision ends Hayes’ brief Sacramento stint after he rebuilt momentum in the G League with the Cleveland Charge. Before returning to the NBA, he averaged 23.1 points and 8.3 assists, production that helped him earn another opportunity.

For the Kings, the move creates flexibility after an injury-filled 2025-26 season. Sacramento can now use the roster spot to pursue bench scoring, perimeter defense, or another backcourt option as the front office evaluates its depth.

For the former lottery pick, unrestricted free agency may provide a cleaner path toward another NBA chance. Teams can sign him without worrying about the Kings matching an offer sheet.

Hayes still offers size, defensive tools, and secondary playmaking. His shooting remains the biggest question as he searches for a longer-term home. That combination should keep him on the radar for teams seeking a guard reclamation project.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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