The Phoenix Suns might have surprised a few people with their nice start to the season, but that doesn't mean that everybody on the roster has contributed the way they would have liked to. Guys like Isaiah Livers might be continuing to eat up minutes and prove they belong in The Valley, but others are trending downwards.
Nigel Hayes-Davis now out of rotation entirely in Phoenix.
Spare a thought for former EuroLeague MVP Nigel Hayes-Davis, who despite not being given much of a chance to impress head coach Jordan Ott in the early goings of the season, is now out of the rotation entirely. Fans were excited when the organization picked him up from Fenerbahçe in Turkey over the summer, but there hasn't been any reason to cheer since.
Nigel Hayes Davis has a fully guaranteed contract and he’s provided us with nothing all season https://t.co/jPrVCyLGQ0
— 1⚡️ (@d6ook) November 17, 2025
He managed 11.2 minutes of action during October, and although he was firmly part of the bench unit, he failed to have any signature moments on the court. Coach Ott clearly favors pace offensively and an ability to cover multiple positions and switch with certain matchups defensively, but Hayes-Davis has provided neither.
The games passes him by when he is out there, which is why it was no surprise to see Livers begin to take his spot with the second unit. His body type and style of play is more suited to banging with other forwards, while he's shooting over 35 percent from deep as well. Contrast that with Hayes-Davies, who in November is playing 5.2 minutes and has made a single 3-pointer all season.
His season high in scoring to this point is seven in an early loss to the L.A. Clippers, while he has a net rating of minus 26.6. Yes, you read that right. At a time when the defense is clicking, it is telling that the Suns are giving up 121.7 points when he is out on the court. Only the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards allow more.
The Suns have quickly outgrown the veteran, which is a shame because he deserved another chance in the league. His contract for the season is fully guaranteed, but it is hard to see Phoenix convincing another team to give them even a second rounder for his services. Heading back to Europe seems like the best option, and it will happen eventually.
Had the Suns known this was going to happen, and it was a risk worth taking, they perhaps could have kept on a player like Jared Butler who got hot for them during preseason play. He too could have gone the same way as Hayes-Davis, and he is playing in Serbia right now. But with the franchise having just signed additional point guard cover, it would have made more sense.