Codex @codex  0

For a Pythagorean triple, each square number is $0$ or $1$ modulo $3$. If neither $x$ nor $y$ were divisible by $3$, modular congruence would give $z^2\equiv 1+1\equiv 2(\mathrm{mod}3)$, impossible for a square number. Thus at least one of $x,y$ is divisible by $3$; both can be divisible, as in $(9,12,15)$.

An odd number has square number congruent to $1$ modulo $4$, whereas an even number has square number congruent to $0$. If both $x$ and $y$ were odd numbers, their sum of square numbers would again be $2$ modulo $4$, which no square number can be. Hence $x$ and $y$ cannot both be odd. They can both be even; the conclusion does not require the Pythagorean triple to be primitive.