Latest news with #NigelHayesDavis
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4 days ago
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Former Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis officially joins Phoenix Suns
Former Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis officially joined the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Roughly one month removed from the former Badger reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with the franchise, Hayes-Davis' journey back to the NBA is now official. For the first time since the 2017-18 regular season, the Ohio native will lace up during an NBA regular season this fall. Hayes-Davis' return to the United States' most coveted professional basketball league follows his hectic spring and summer run as a member of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkey. To conclude the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign, Hayes-Davis helped guide Fenerbahce to an 81-70 victory over Monaco in the final with a 23-point, nine-rebound performance. The output netted him EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors and the club's first title since 2017. After the historic run, Boston Celtics' head coach Joe Mazulla traveled to Istanbul for the Bachesehir - Fenerbahçe game in early June, reigniting Hayes-Davis' reality of playing in the NBA once more. The previous summer, Hayes-Davis earned a Turkish League Championship and MVP honor in Turkey's Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals, where he averaged over 17 points per game to snag finals MVP honors. That pair of runs served as enough evidence for an NBA squad to take a chance on the decorated college and European basketball star. The 6-foot-8 forward suited up in nine games for the Kings, Lakers and Raptors during the 2017-18 slate. He will now return to the hardwood alongside players such as Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. As a Badger from 2013-17, Hayes-Davis was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), a two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) honoree and an All-Big Ten first team selection (2016). He averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 150 appearances. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball great Nigel Hayes officially returns to NBA
Yahoo
4 days ago
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Former Wisconsin basketball star agrees to one-year deal with Phoenix Suns
Former Wisconsin Badgers basketball star Nigel Hayes-Davis has agreed to a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal is fully guaranteed. It marks Hayes-Davis' first taste of NBA action since he played five games with the Sacramento Kings during the 2017-18 slate. The news arrives roughly one month after the Badger alumnus wrapped up a spectacular season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in Turkey. Hayes-Davis capped off the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign with an 81-70 victory over Monaco, securing him EuroLeague Final Four MVP honors and the club's first championship since 2017. Hayes-Davis' recent title followed another championship run last summer, when he pocketed a Turkish League Championship and MVP honor in Turkey's Basketbol Süper Ligi Finals. The Ohio native averaged over 17 points per game to snag finals MVP honors throughout the series, which ignited his return to professional basketball in the United States. Between his time in Europe, the former Badger suited up alongside the USA Men's National Team during its exhibition schedule before the Olympic crew won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Outside of practice, he played exhibitions in Las Vegas, London and Abu Dhabi alongside a bevy of NBA Hall of Famers, including now-teammate Devin Booker. Hayes-Davis reportedly drew interest from the Boston Celtics' head coach Joe Mazulla, who was spotted in Istanbul for the Bachesehir - Fenerbahçe game in early June. While the Celtics didn't bite, another franchise did. The former Wisconsin standout suited up in nine games for the Kings, Lakers and Raptors during the 2017-18 slate following his career in Madison, but he didn't experience as much success as he did in college. His European basketball journey appears to have rejuvenated his career, and now he will look to compete alongside players like Booker, Jalen Green, Bradley Beal, Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams. During his time in Madison, Hayes-Davis was named Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year (2014), a two-time third-team All-Big Ten (2015, 2017) honoree and an All-Big Ten first team selection in 2016. He, along with Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker, wound up in the 2015 NCAA title game against the Duke Blue Devils during one of the most memorable runs in franchise history. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Nigel Hayes-Davis Phoenix Suns NBA
Yahoo
24-07-2025
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Phoenix Suns 2025 NBA free agency grades for every signing
The post Phoenix Suns 2025 NBA free agency grades for every signing appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Suns entered the 2025 offseason with a mandate to restructure. After a disappointing 36-win season, change wasn't optional – it was inevitable. What followed was one of the most proactive and intriguing offseasons in the league. Phoenix made noise in the 2025 NBA Draft, shined in Summer League, and pulled off headline-making trades. Yet, despite all the movement, one glaring weakness still lingers: the lack of a true point guard. Below, we'll grade every move the Suns made during free agency – including signings, trades, and contract renewals – and evaluate what they got right and where they may have gone wrong. Suns' free agency signings & re-signings grades Signed Collin Gillespie This is a solid, low-risk signing. Collin Gillespie brings high IQ, shooting, and unselfish play, but he is best suited as a third-string point guard. His presence might stabilize the second unit briefly, but Phoenix is still lacking a reliable lead guard to run the offense consistently. Gillespie alone doesn't fix that. He's a great locker room presence and a floor-spacer who won't make many mistakes. However, if the Suns are counting on him for rotation minutes, it reflects a deeper issue. Grade: B Re-signed Nigel Hayes-Davis Hayes-Davis was an end-of-bench flyer last year, and re-signing him feels more like a depth move than a strategic priority. He's a versatile wing who showed some energy in short stints, but it's hard to imagine him cracking a serious rotation. If Phoenix sees something fans haven't, it'll be interesting to monitor. Otherwise, this is a low-impact decision. Grade: C+ Rewarded Devin Booker with a new contract for loyalty The Phoenix Suns made one thing clear: Devin Booker is their cornerstone. Amidst the departures of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and a shift away from the failed superteam experiment, the Suns doubled down on their franchise's identity by signing Booker to a two-year contract extension worth approximately $145 million. The deal kicks in starting with the 2028–29 season and keeps Booker under contract through 2030. It's a massive financial commitment, but one that aligns with both performance and principle. Major trades: Redefining the Suns' identity Acquired Jalen Green from the Houston Rockets Jalen Green gives Phoenix a much-needed injection of athleticism and youth. The 23-year-old guard is one of the NBA's most explosive athletes, with the potential to thrive in an uptempo offense. While his decision-making and defense are still inconsistent, pairing him with Devin Booker forms one of the league's most dynamic backcourts. Green's ability to get downhill, play above the rim, and create off the dribble adds a completely new layer to the Suns' offense – something they missed last year when Bradley Beal failed to fit in. Acquired Dillon Brooks in a separate deal Dillon Brooks brings toughness and perimeter defense, a much-needed asset for a team that often folded under pressure in the 2024-25 campaign. He's a polarizing figure, but Phoenix lacks defensive-minded wings who can take on top assignments every night. Brooks's playoff experience and grit make him a valuable fit alongside Booker and Green, as long as his shot selection remains disciplined. Draft Picks and summer league standouts While not technically part of free agency, Phoenix's draft and Summer League performances deserve mention due to how they shape the roster. Khaman Maluach, the 7'2' athletic center, looks like a future anchor. Koby Brea has shooting touch and poise. Sophomores Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn showed real growth, especially on the defensive end. Their collective success adds depth and promise to a roster that was top-heavy last year. It also highlights the need for a floor general to tie the pieces together. The missing piece: No true point guard The biggest concern from this offseason isn't who the Suns signed – it's who they didn't. With no true floor general on the roster now, Phoenix runs the risk of repeating the same offensive stagnation issues from last year. Devin Booker is best used off the ball, operating as a scorer and secondary playmaker. Jalen Green is still learning how to read NBA defenses. A veteran point guard who can run the offense, set the tempo, and feed their scorers in rhythm would elevate this team from interesting to dangerous. It's unclear whether Phoenix is waiting for a buyout market opportunity or banking on internal solutions like Gillespie. Either way, it's a dangerous bet. Suns 2025 offseason departures: Shedding the old core to build anew Change was inevitable for the Phoenix Suns after a turbulent 2024–25 season that ended with just 36 wins and no clear direction. The team needed to reset its culture, cap sheet, and roster balance, and that began with letting go of several key players from the previous regime. While some departures were expected, others came as part of larger strategic pivots. Together, they mark the end of an era in Phoenix and the beginning of a new, more flexible identity. Kevin Durant The Phoenix Suns' 2025 offseason was defined by change, but no departure loomed larger than that of Kevin Durant. The two-time Finals MVP, future Hall of Famer, and centerpiece of Phoenix's 2023 all-in gamble is no longer a Sun. His exit didn't just close a chapter – it closed a book the franchise had spent years writing. Durant's departure was not entirely shocking, but it was deeply symbolic. It marked the official end of the 'superteam era' in Phoenix, one that never quite delivered on its promise. Bradley Beal (waived) The most headline-grabbing departure of the offseason was the official waiving of Bradley Beal. Just two years removed from a highly publicized trade that brought him to Phoenix, Beal's tenure with the Suns was underwhelming at best. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and an ill-fitting role alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant limited his impact. Last season, Beal struggled to find rhythm as a secondary ball-handler and often looked out of sync in the Suns' system. His bloated contract – originally a $251 million deal signed in Washington – became a financial albatross. In the end, the Suns used the league's new waiver and stretch provisions to absorb his contract in smaller annual cap hits, freeing up short-term flexibility. Beal's exit signals a hard pivot from the failed 'Big Three' experiment and a return to building around Booker with complementary athleticism and depth. Tyus Jones (not re-signed) Tyus Jones was a stabilizing presence last season, arriving as a stopgap solution to the Suns' longstanding point guard issues. On a one-year, minimum contract, he exceeded expectations early in the season with smart decision-making, low turnovers, and good tempo control. However, Jones' limitations became apparent as the season progressed. At just 6'1″, his defensive liability and lack of downhill pressure made him a tough play against longer, more athletic guards. Down the stretch, his minutes were cut in favor of bigger wings, and he ultimately became expendable. The Suns chose not to re-sign him, preferring to bet on internal development and the trade market. Related: Suns rumors: 2 other veterans 'not on radar' as Chris Paul joins Clippers Related: NBA rumors: Suns, Celtics added to list of Ben Simmons suitors
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grading the Phoenix Suns' Free Agency So Far
Grading the Phoenix Suns' Free Agency So Far originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has been a busy offseason thus far for the Phoenix Suns, though most of their moves came before NBA free agency officially began. Advertisement Phoenix began their offseason by trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the draft rights to Khaman Maluach and five second-round picks. They then pulled off a trade in the first round of the draft with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire Mark Williams and then selected Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. These were all solid moves by the Suns, but they have had an underwhelming free agency thus far as they have made only one signing and have seen three players depart from their franchise. Nigel Hayes The only player Phoenix has signed thus far in free agency is Nigel Hayes-Davis, who has excelled in the EuroLeague over the last few seasons. Advertisement Phoenix also saw Tyus Jones, Cody Martin and Mason Plumlee all leave in free agency but they did sign Collin Gillespie to a standard contract after he was a two-way player for them last season. Suns' Free Agency Grade: C With their lack of moves in free agency, the Suns earned a C grade, though they have had a successful offseason thus far. Adding Hayes-Davis was a surprise and his role in the rotation next season is still up in the air due to the Suns' depth at the forward position. Despite this, the former University of Wisconsin standout will make his return to the NBA where he could turn heads this upcoming season. Advertisement Phoenix Suns guard Bradley BealRick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Outside of Hayes-Davis, the Suns have not signed any other players and they may be closing in on losing another key piece of their roster as it has been reported that Phoenix and Bradley Beal are nearing a contract buyout. The Suns do still have time to make more moves with Chris Paul's name continuing to come up as a potential target for them. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
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Wisconsin Sends Nigel Hayes-Davis Message After Signing With Suns
Wisconsin Sends Nigel Hayes-Davis Message After Signing With Suns originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Phoenix Suns have been one of the busiest teams thus far this offseason as they continue to retool their roster around Devin Booker to try and bounce back after missing the playoffs last season. Advertisement Of course, the Suns started their offseason by trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and they then made a trade during the NBA draft with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire Mark Williams. Phoenix Suns guard Devin BookerReggie Hildred-Imagn Images Phoenix also made three selections during the 2025 NBA Draft as they added Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea. The Suns then entered free agency expected to make more moves and that is exactly what they did on Monday as they signed Euroleague standout and former Wisconsin star Nigel Hayes-Davis to a contract. On Tuesday, Wisconsin sent a message out on social media regarding Hayes-Davis signing with the Suns in free agency. Advertisement 'Nigel is back in the NBA! Congrats to Hayes-Davis on signing a contract with the Suns,' the Badgers posted on X. Of course, Hayes-Davis played four seasons at Wisconsin where he became one of the top big men in the country. During his senior season with the Badgers, the 6-8 forward averaged 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 45.7% from the field and 31.4% from three. He then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2017 but he played in only nine games during his rookie season with the Lakers, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings. Hayes-Davis then decided to go overseas where he became a star in the Euroleague as he led Fenerbahce to the 2025 Euroleague championship where he was named finals MVP and he also helped them win the Turkish Cup championship while being named MVP. Advertisement Now Hayes-Davis will make his return to the NBA where he should see a solid role off the bench for the Suns as he has made extensive improvements to his game during his time overseas. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
