Report: Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla in Turkiye scouting sharpshooting forward
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has reportedly made the trip to Turkiye to see a Fenerbahce big man, presumably as a potential depth option at power forward for the Celtics next season. With star Boston swingman Jayson Tatum sidelined for most or even all of the Celtics' 2025-26 campaign, Boston will need to find a way to add depth to the team on the cheap, with the storied ball club simultaneously trying to navigate a way to shrinking a historic payroll and tax bill.
Enter Fenerbahce forward Nigel Hayes-Davis, who has been playing well for the EuroLeague squad this season, putting up 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game with the Turkish club in EuroLeague play while hitting 42.3% of his 3s and shooting 46.0% from the field overall. Per Eurohoops, Mazzulla "travelled to Turkiye to take a look at" Hayes-Davis.
The 30-year-old, 6-foot-7 wing could help Boston weather the Tatum absence -- as well as help shore up the wing if Boston elects to move off reserve forward Sam Hauser to save money as well.
Hayes-Davis, a native of Westerville, Ohio, has previously played short stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings at the NBA level in the 2017-18 season.
The Wisconsin alum headed overseas to play in the Turkish Basketball Super League and the Euroleague afterward, setting the modern individual player scoring record (50 points) in that league in 2023-24.
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