The Milwaukee Bucks did make a trade at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, but not one involving their star player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Instead, a much more tame move involved the Bucks swapping veterans with the Phoenix Suns, with one of them being none other than former Wisconsin Badgers star Nigel Hayes-Davis.
The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks Add Wisconsin Alum Nigel Hayes-Davis at Trade Deadline
The Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been the talk of the NBA world for months now, but with the trade deadline now officially past, the Greek Freak has remained in Milwaukee and even reaffirmed his commitment to the franchise.
Apr 3, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Instead, the trade deadline news Bucks fans can now sink their teeth into is their deal with the Phoenix Suns, which sends backup point guard Cole Anthony and veteran wing Amir Coffey out west in exchange for Nigel Hayes-Davis. While it was initially reported that Suns center Nick Richards was also heading to Milwaukee, new information revealed the Chicago Bulls were also involved in the deal and would be sending the Bucks 22-year-old wing Ousmane Dieng instead.
Wisconsin sports fans will immediately recognize the name Nigel Hayes-Davis for his outstanding contributions to the Wisconsin Badgers basketball program during his college career. During 150 games for the Badgers, Hayes-Davis averaged 12.4 points per game, helping him climb to 3rd all-time in Wisconsin scoring history. His single-season numbers peaking in his junior year, when he was first-team All-Big Ten and averaged 15.7 points per contest.
Mar 24, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) drives to the basket against Florida Gators forward Justin Leon (23) during the second half in the semifinals of the East Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Hayes-Davis was on some of Wisconsin’s most successful teams in recent memory, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in all four years and being a part of the runner-up team in 2015.
Nigel Hayes-Davis Returns to Wisconsin with Milwaukee Bucks
Since going undrafted in 2017, Hayes-Davis has bounced around the G-League as well as the EuroLeague, playing in Turkey, Lithuania, and Spain before returning to the NBA with Phoenix last season. On a one-year deal, Hayes-Davis will now finish the season back in the state of Wisconsin with the Bucks.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Nigel Hayes (10) tries a reverse during the third round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship between Wisconsin and Oregon at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Saturday, March 22, 2014.
Even if Hayes-Davis doesn’t figure to be a high-level contributor to the Bucks (he’s averaging just over 1 point and 1 rebound per game this season), Wisconsin sports fans are excited by the move. It’s a fun full-circle moment for Wisconsin basketball fans.
Welcome home Nigel pic.twitter.com/214Of4f0WL
— Alex Barutha 🏀 (@BaruthaAlex) February 5, 2026
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