Nigel Hayes-Davis is attracting attention from top European clubs following his waiver by the Milwaukee Bucks, Eurohoops reporter Aris Barkas confirmed on Friday, February 6. The 31-year-old forward, who earned Final Four MVP honors with Fenerbahce last season, is exploring opportunities that meet his multiyear, high-value contract expectations.
Fenerbahce, Panathinaikos, and Hapoel Tel Aviv have already contacted Hayes-Davis’ representatives regarding potential deals, all capable of matching the $5–6 million annual benchmark set by Vasilije Micic at Hapoel. No final decision has been made, and negotiations remain ongoing as other teams could enter the market.
Hayes-Davis appeared in 27 games with Phoenix last season, averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds over 7.2 minutes per contest. Despite limited NBA impact, his overseas performance has solidified him as a high-profile EuroLeague asset.
Fenerbahce leads the 2025-26 EuroLeague with a 19-7 record, while Panathinaikos sits eighth at 16-11 and Hapoel is fourth at 16-10, highlighting competitive playoff aspirations for each club.
The forward’s decision could hinge on salary, role, and the opportunity to return as a marquee player. He left Europe previously hoping to secure a sustainable NBA position, but limited playing time has made the prospect of a top-tier European contract appealing.
Milwaukee acquired Hayes-Davis in a three-team trade with Phoenix, exchanging Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey for Ousmane Dieng and the forward. The Bucks waived him shortly after, signaling a focus on developing Dieng and managing salary flexibility.
Should Hayes-Davis return to Europe, he would be joining a club capable of offering both financial reward and a central role, reinforcing the trend of NBA-level talent impacting EuroLeague competition. His return would also add depth and championship experience to teams looking to strengthen their roster for the stretch run.
