Nets waive Killian Hayes, Amari Bailey; convert Tyrese Martin to two-way contract
NEW YORK — The Nets have waived Killian Hayes and Amari Bailey following Friday’s preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors. They were invited to training camp on Exhibit 10 deals. Saturday was the last day to waive a player on a non-guaranteed contract and not incur a salary cap charge.
Both guards are expected to play for the G League affiliate Long Island Nets this season.
Hayes, who was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2020 NBA Draft, did not appear in any games for Brooklyn throughout the preseason because of hip soreness. Bailey, who was selected 41st overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, made two appearances off the bench during the preseason and averaged 2.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
He will continue to rehab his injury with Long Island. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez was impressed by Hayes’ worth ethic when healthy in training camp. He seems to believe the 23-year-old’s career is worth salvaging.
“Killian’s got a good feel for the game,” Fernandez said. “He’s worked really hard the whole time we’ve had him here. He’s been really good in camp. Unfortunately, these types of minor injuries happen. But it’s nothing serious, so he’ll be back soon, and I’d like to see him on the court.
“We’ll see how it plays out, but so far I’m happy with him and everything he’s done … I think some of you guys said it’s like his second draft and you can tell he is approaching this, I don’t know how he was before, and I don’t care, but he seems like he’s mature, he works every day, he’s very committed, and he’s known exactly what he needs to do in this environment.”
Brooklyn also converted Tyrese Martin’s Exhibit 10 deal into a two-way contract. He fills the team’s third and final two-way slot, joining wings Jaylen Martin and Yongxi Cui. The 25-year-old appeared in 16 games for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2022-23 season and spent last season with the Iowa Wolves in the G League, where he averaged 17.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
The Nets finished the preseason with a 1-3 record. Their 2024-25 roster is set. They will open the regular season on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Stadium.
“It was a good training camp because we’ve worked hard, and we’ve got 1% better every day,” Fernandez said. “But it doesn’t stop here. Getting better doesn’t stop here. We’re process oriented, we have a plan for now and for the future, and we have to understand that we have these three days to prepare. Yes, I was going to prepare to play against Atlanta, for sure, but we’re working to get better ourselves … And now it starts the real NBA, which is ups and downs, tough schedule, and we need a lot of togetherness. We need to stay connected. So, it’s going to be a fun challenge, for sure.”
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