The Phoenix Suns held their media day ahead of the 2025-26 season on Wednesday, and much was made about owner Mat Ishbia's opening address to the journalists and bloggers present. Once he was finished speaking, it was the turn of head coach Jordan Ott and Devin Booker to also field questions.
Booker looked like a man on a mission up there - claiming he had unfinished business with the franchise - which is exactly the mode the Suns need him to be in this coming season. The Suns are going to lose a lot of games, and keeping him engaged and focused on the bigger picture in The Valley will be paramount to future success.
Nigel Hayes-Davis stole the show when speaking to media.
By far the most surprising and interesting interview came later in the day, when Nigel Hayes-Davis was called upon. After having European success for the last number of years - including being the Final Four MVP of EuroLeague - the 30-year-old came across as relaxed and as somebody who is enjoying every moment of his unexpected return to the NBA after being out in the wilderness.
My favorite interview of @Suns Media Day? Nigel Hayes-Davis. Just…wow. pic.twitter.com/SapcsLrUUl
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) September 24, 2025
Hayes-Davis spoke about how he's been documenting his whole experience so far so that he can look back on it in future, and in one interview process appeared to be everything the Suns hoped he could be in a veteran presence in their locker-room. Somebody who won't get too down if they have a losing streak, and can act as a mentor to the younger guys.
A player like Jalen Green likely thinks they have it all figured out in the NBA at 23-years-old, and with good reason. He's an elite scorer who just had a breakout performance in the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors. Europe is rightly the last place on his mind, but Hayes-Davis can serve as a stoic reminder of how quickly things can change for a professional.
The manner in which he delivers answers suggests he will have no problem communicating with both teammates and coaching staff, and really he just comes across as a likeable individual. The kind you love to root for, although his purpose in The Valley extends beyond being able to put an arm around somebody.
As we've already discussed, Hayes-Davis can be the stretch four the Suns need, taking some of the Durant minutes and likely shooting close to 40 percent from deep if given the opportunity. The last two plus years of Suns basketball when they've been chasing a title, it was hard to truly get behind the team some nights. In Hayes-Davis alone, the franchise looks to have solved that problem.