Fenerbahce receives buyout as Nigel Hayes-Davis moves to NBA

01/07/202509:27

Nigel Hayes-Davis Segafredo Virtus Bologna - Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Turkish Airlines Euroleague 2024-25 11^ Giornata Bologna, 20/11/2024 Foto S. Ponticelli / Ciamillo-Castoria

Nigel Hayes-Davis leaves Fenerbahce for the NBA, activating a €1M clause. The Turkish club will now seek a high-profile replacement

Fenerbahce will receive a buyout after Nigel Hayes-Davis activated a €1 million NBA clause to sign with the Phoenix Suns, BasketNews reports. The move ends Hayes-Davis’ run with Fenerbahce, where he was a cornerstone player.

Hayes-Davis averaged 16.7 points and 5.3 rebounds last season, leading Fenerbahce to the EuroLeague title and earning Final Four MVP honors with 23 points and 9 rebounds in the final. He was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team for two straight seasons.

The buyout clears around €3 million in payroll for Fenerbahce, which plans to pursue a top-level replacement. Hayes-Davis departs after also setting the EuroLeague single-game scoring record with 50 points two seasons ago.

Fenerbahce’s Nigel Hayes-Davis – the 2025 Euroleague champion and finals MVP as well as Turkish Cup champion and MVP – has agreed to a fully guaranteed one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The two-time Euroleague first-teamer returns to the States and NBA. pic.twitter.com/4f75izENgM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025