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Celtics Eyeing EuroLeague MVP to Help Replace Jayson Tatum

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 11:39 PM ET

To be sure, there is little the Celtics could realistically do in the coming weeks to accomplish both of their outstanding goals--one, to bring their spiraling payroll into line, and, two, to remain among the East's top contenders even with star Jayson Tatum out because of an Achilles tendon injury.

But the Celtics can still seek out offbeat options to replace Tatum, find some out-of-the-box options that are cost effective, could be better on the court than expected and could, ultimately, stick with the team beyond the 2025-26 season.

With that in mind, it's little wonder that Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was spotted overseas recently having a look at Nigel Hayes-Davis, the former Wisconsin star who had brief NBA stints with the Lakers, Kings and Raptors in 2017-18 before ultimately packing up and building a star-caliber career on the European circuit.

He has been on an especially prominent heater lately, winning the MVP of the EuroLeague Final Four for Fenerbahce in Istanbul, then leading Fenerbahce to a league title this week.

Team general manager Derya Yannier admitted that there has been significant NBA interest coming in on Hayes-Davis, as well as on Tarik Biberovic, a former second-round pick of the Grizzlies.

“There is very serious interest from the NBA for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Tarik Biberovic,” Yannier said. “I hope they continue with us, but if they say, ‘I want to try in the NBA,’ we won’t stand in their way.”

Hayes-Davis is an undersize power forward who has been with Fenerbahce since 2022, and averaged 16.8 points in EuroLeague play and 13.7 in the Turkish League. Of special note to NBA teams: He has developed an excellent 3-point stroke, making 39.5% in his European career, including 42.3% in EuroLeague play this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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