The NBA experience didn't work out as well as Nigel Hayes-Davis wanted. The EuroLeague Finals MVP was hoping that his success overseas would allow him to have a similar run in the States. However, after lackluster opportunities and performances for the Phoenix Suns, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and then quickly waived.
Then the vultures from the EuroLeague started swirling, as he's a known star overseas. He had three teams jump in immediately for his services, and all were offering more than $5 million per year deals (in total compensation). One team, Hapoel Tel Aviv, may have just sweetened the pot by frontloading some of it this season.
Hapoel Tel Aviv has submitted a significant offer of approximately $11 million to Nigel Hayes-Davis.
— Matteo Andreani (@matty_vanpersie) February 9, 2026
$2 million for this season, $4.5 million + $4.5 million for the remaining 2seasons.
Hapoel strongly wants to strengthen the team with the MVP of the last EuroLeague Final Four. pic.twitter.com/uR6ZjuxpGH
Hapoel Tel Aviv is making a strong push to land former Badger Nigel Hayes-Davis
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The former Badger has heard from Panathinaikos, Fenerbahce, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The Panathinaikos owner posted on social media the other day that Hayes-Davis has already spurned the offer, so the sweepstakes may be down to two.
Fenerbahce is Hayes-Davis' former team and the team he won a EuroLeague championship with. That may have some pull as he trusts the coach, ownership, and more. He also played with many of those players who are still there. However, the Tel Aviv team is submitting the stronger offer, and for Hayes-Davis, that may make it tough to choose.
There's another factor that may weigh in on his decision. Since the season is already ongoing, he can look at the standings and decide who has the best shot at another title. Right now, Fenerbahce is in first with a 19-7 record while Hapoel Tel Aviv is a few games back at 16-10.
This also explains why Tel Aviv's offer for this season was only $2 million, with $4.5 million for each of the following years. There's a desire both to win now and to give Hayes-Davis his payday.
This would be one of the richest deals in EuroLeague history. It's reported that Hayes-Davis is looking to be the highest-paid player if he goes back overseas, and he's getting offers to make that happen.