Ex-Suns guard ends wild overseas contract dispute in shocking fashion

The Phoenix Suns made one notable dip into the European market for help this offseason, turning to veteran and EuroLeague Final Four MVP Nigel Hayes-Davis to be a veteran presence for this group. He was signed before either Kevin Durant or Bradley Beal departed - but now that both are gone - his inclusion makes a lot more sense.

At 30-years-old Hayes-Davis is coming back to the NBA for a final crack at trying to make it in a rotation, while also showing the youngsters in Phoenix was not to do in order to have long careers there. It will also be interesting to see if he can steer Jalen Green - 23-years-old and with all of the offensive talent in the world - in the right direction. Their season could depend on that.

Former Suns Mike James sensationally returning to Monaco.

Staying over in Europe and you might remember one time member of The Valley, Mike James. He played 30 games for the Suns during the 2017-18 season, at a time when Devin Booker was growing into the superstar we know him as today. James is now 35-years-old so his chances of coming back to play in America are all but done, with the point guard playing with AS Monaco of France.

Or at least he was, until an off the court issue which caused him to be suspended by the team created some unrest, leading to the possibility of James moving to another powerhouse in Europe. There was also some reported interest from the NBA, although it is unclear just how true that was. With guys like Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons failing to get a roster spot, it was hard to see James landing.

That all looks to have been resolved however - and as you can see from the video above - James is already back on the court for the French outfit and having an impact. There are far worse places for him to close out his career - Kemba Walker had a brief stint there himself not too long ago - even if getting back to the NBA was a possibility.

James now has the chance to do what Hayes-Davis may well also attempt should his stay with the Suns be brief. That is have a lasting impact in Europe at a time when basketball there continues to improve, with the standard incredibly high. If you're the Suns, the prospect of actually bringing James back instead of Hayes-Davis is a fun exercise too.

Hayes-Davis certainly looks like he has the personality to thrive in Phoenix, but James would have filled a position of need as a floor general. One who could have shown Collin Gillespie a trick or two, while also ensuring one of Booker or Green didn't have to take on that role. He's better off with Monaco though, a place he can finish out his career strong even after nearly leaving.