The arrival of a French person can hide the departure of another.
Like every year, the Trade deadline, the equivalent of the closing of the transfer window, delivered its share of surprises.
Last in the Eastern Conference, Detroit has cleaned up its squad with 6 arrivals and 6 departures.
Released by the New York Knicks after only 13 minutes of play under his belt, this season, Evan Fournier should find playing time in Michigan.
But in terms of departures, former Cholet Basket Killian Hayes was cut off by his franchise.
The leader was selected as the 7th pick of the draft in 2020 – a record for a Frenchman before Wembanyama.
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In an unstable team that has been peering into the depths of the league for four years, he has never been able to find his place.
With a rookie season averaging 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists, Hayes struggled with his shooting – only 38% shooting, including 27% from distance.
An insufficient return for the Pistons who decided to part ways with the Frenchman.
The former Cholet player can hope to find a base in another franchise with the “buy out” market – buyouts in French – in which he can be recruited by a franchise.
This new transfer window is open until the end of the regular season, April 14.
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Another collateral victim of last night's movements, Frank Ntilikina is once again a free agent.
Under contract with the Hornets since the start of the season, he was hampered by a ruptured tibia in preseason.
Back in January, he only played 5 games and was content with starving playing time: 43 minutes for an average of 1 point on 11% shooting.
The sample is small, but the former Knicks will also have to bounce back in a new team.
Absent from the World Cup, he showed defensive qualities that the Blues lack in this position.
And five months before the Olympic Games, the two leaders will have to find rhythm to arrive in Paris.