Nigel Hayes-Davis presented with escape route out of Suns nightmare

For all that the Phoenix Suns have gotten right this year, the addition of Nigel Hayes-Davis has not worked out on the court.

Behind the scenes he appears to be the model professional, and it's not like the organization had anything to lose by bringing him to Phoenix to see if he had anything to provide this group.

But with head coach Jordan Ott immediately getting the best out of the roster and the Suns looking like they could make the playoffs, the season passed Hayes-Davis by before he could get going.

Return to Europe most likely outcome for former Fenerbahçe standout

The trade deadline has been dominated by Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the lack of movement with him has also impacted the Suns' own plans. So it makes sense that the 31-year-old Hayes-Davis would not receive much air time.

He has managed only 7.6 minutes in 24 games played, and even with the injuries that have hit the Suns hasn't been given any more chances to impress.

Rumors of a return to Europe have gone quiet in recent weeks, but prior to that there was talk of Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos wanting to get him back over there. Looking at the video below, it is not hard to see why.

Given there is no interest in the NBA for his services, even as a tiny expiring contract, this is surely the best resolution for both sides.

It would also free up another roster spot for the Suns that they don't currently need, but could allow them to be more active in improving their team ahead of the trade deadline.

Coach Ott has turned the Suns into a top 10 defense each night, while offensively they rely on 3-point shooters around Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks to space the court.

Mark Williams is having a career year, while the trio of Collin Gillespie (a fresh injury concern himself), Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and Isaiah Livers round out the second unit.

If the coaching staff can't find space for their trio of rookies to get minutes and make mistakes as they improve, then what hope did a veteran from overseas ever have here?

It is nobody's fault that this didn't happen the way it was supposed to, but the time has come to get Hayes-Davis back to a place where he was one of the best players in an entire league.