Suns sign Forward Nigel Hayes-Davis

[Hoop Head]

I'm hoping for a better comparison like Guerschon Yabusele.

I'm hoping for a PJ Tucker scenario. That's going back a little further but I can't shake Weems from my mind. Helps keep me grounded and won't be hard for Hayes-Davis to eclipse him.

 

[SirStefan32]

I can't help but think of Sonny Weems in comparison to Nigel Hayes-Davis. He can't be worse. It has definitely helped keep my expectations in check.

I hope NHD can be productive here.

He is definitely no Sonny Weems. I asked some of my old Euro peeps about that and they laughed. Sonny was a very good player in Europe, but he was never close to what Nigel's been doing. They said Weems had one single season when he was considered among the best players in the league, but that's about it.

 

[SirStefan32]

I'm hoping for a PJ Tucker scenario. That's going back a little further but I can't shake Weems from my mind. Helps keep me grounded and won't be hard for Hayes-Davis to eclipse him.

That's a good approach when it comes to thinking about expectations. From what I've been told, Nigel is significantly better on offense, but he is not a defensive stopper, even in Europe. He is not a defensive liability, but everyone is saying that he is a significantly better scorer than anyone on this side of the pond thinks.

 

[Yuma]

Looks like the Celtics were trying to get NHD, too:

Celtics Pursuing EuroLeague's Scoring Leader

Looking to reshape their roster, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla recently went on a scouting trip to Turkey to see up close a proven scorer.

heavy.com

 

[Yuma]

Here's the scouting report from the previous link that outlines what we are getting with NHD in a nutshell:

Standing 6’8, Hayes-Davis is a versatile and aggressive scorer who can hit from long range, mid-range and the post, with the handle to drive between them all. A 6’8 playmaker, Hayes-Davis can score from anywhere, with footwork, fakes, IQ and shrewd passing vision, while also having the range on the jump shot required of the modern forward.

Defensively, Hayes-Davis’s lack of top-tier lateral speed is his biggest NBA question mark, and he is not a possession-winner. Nevertheless, the intelligence comes into play once again, and Hayes-Davis’s good effort level on that end makes him a solid contributor within strong team defences like Fenerbahce’s.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Here's the scouting report from the previous link that outlines what we are getting with NHD in a nutshell:

He has a 7-3.25 wingspan. So another long player with long arms.

 

[clyde2tw]

Here's the scouting report from the previous link that outlines what we are getting with NHD in a nutshell:

Sounds like he is a point-forward who can shoot himself unlike Oso and BenSimmons

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Looking at his game logs he seems to be pretty inconsistent, but when he is on he is a really good player. One positive is that he should have a little more space when he gets to the rim due to the NBA having defensive 3 seconds.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nigel Hayes-Davis has had conversations with Jordan Ott and Devin Booker. He talks about it on a PHNX podcast.

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[Mainstreet]

The entire podcast is at the YouTube link below.

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[Yuma]

I am waiting to see how this guy's game translates to the NBA. If he's anything remotely effective like he is in Europe, we may have to figure out how to sign him longer term but stay under aprons.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am waiting to see how this guy's game translates to the NBA. If he's anything remotely effective like he is in Europe, we may have to figure out how to sign him longer term but stay under aprons.

If Hayes-Davis contributes as much as Guerschon Yabusele, I will be pleased.

 

[Mainstreet]

Nigel Hayes-Davis is listed at 6-8, 254 pounds. That's big for a small forward.

 

[95pro]

Davis did not look good in pre-season, did not do well in regular season as he was leaned on early for the forward off the bench. Even with some guys out he did not get any minutes against the Spurs and Wolves.

Looking into his contract, he makes 2M now, he opted out and had to give up or pay? 1M to get out of the euroleague. He was slated to make 9M for 3 seasons there.