The Milwaukee Bucks didn’t waste much time making a roster move after Thursday’s trade deadline. Shortly after acquiring Nigel Hayes-Davis in a three-team deal, the team has officially requested waivers on the veteran forward.
Hayes-Davis, who made a brief NBA debut back in 2018, had spent the last several years rebuilding his career overseas. And he didn’t just hold his own - he thrived.
The 6’7” forward became a force in the EuroLeague, playing a key role in Fenerbahce’s championship run and earning Final Four MVP honors along the way. That kind of performance turned heads back in the States, and it earned him another shot at the NBA when he signed with the Phoenix Suns this past offseason.
But that second chapter never really got off the ground. Hayes-Davis logged just 7.2 minutes per game across 27 appearances for the Suns, most of those coming in low-leverage situations.
He averaged 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game - numbers that reflect a limited role more than anything else. Phoenix’s rotation was deep, and Hayes-Davis never quite found the opportunity to carve out a consistent spot.
Now, after a quick stop in Milwaukee, he’s back on the market. At 31, a return to Europe could be on the table if another NBA team doesn’t come calling. He’s still eligible for a two-way contract, though league rules prevent him from re-signing with the Suns this season.
As for the Bucks, the move to waive Hayes-Davis comes just hours after they acquired him - along with Ousmane Dieng - in a trade that sent Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey out the door. It’s clear Milwaukee wasn’t targeting Hayes-Davis as a long-term piece.
The deal added salary but didn’t bring in any draft assets, which makes it pretty clear the Bucks had their eyes on Dieng as the key return. With Hayes-Davis already off the roster, all attention turns to how Dieng might fit into Milwaukee’s plans down the stretch.
In the end, this is a familiar story in the NBA: a player fights his way back into the league, only to find himself squeezed out by the numbers game. But Hayes-Davis has shown he can thrive when given the right opportunity - whether that comes in the NBA or back overseas remains to be seen.