The Los Angeles Lakers are predicted to have a huge upcoming offseason. The team is looking to improve its roster and compete for an NBA Title next season. One of their offseason targets could be a player who had a short stint with the team in the past. That player is Nigel Hayes-Davis.
Hayes-Davis played two games with the Lakers back in the 2017-2018 season. Hayes-Davis went to Europe shortly after, and his game has really blossomed. He has now played seven seasons overseas in Europe. He has played in the Euroleague, Eurocup, Liga ACB, and BSL leagues. Haye-Davis played for Fenerbahçe Beko this past season in Istanbul, Turkey, where he averaged 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
Hayes-Davis was named the Euroleague Final Four MVP this past season. He scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a recent 81-70 victory over AS Monaco, then gave an emotional interview after his team won the title. He was very reflective and appreciative of his career journey.
"I didn't win a state championship; I lost a state championship game in high school," he said. "I wasn't a McDonald's All-American. I didn't win Mr. Basketball. I go to college, I'm in the gym at 5 a.m., and we have lift at 7. I'm working, I'm working, I'm working. Friday night, Saturday night, (attending the) No. 1 party school in the country, I'm in the gym, 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock. I wasn't the player of the year, I wasn't Naismith Player of the Year. I lost in the national championship game again. I kept working. I go undrafted, keep working. I end up overseas, and you have to deal with that. As an American growing up, your dream is to play in the NBA, and when that doesn't happen, you keep working, keep working. … I've got four-a-days at Žalgiris.
You can ask the arena staff, I'm in there four times a day. I go to Barcelona, the worst year of my life ... Even then, working. I end up overseas, and you have to deal with that. As an American growing up, your dream is to play in the NBA, and when that doesn't happen, you keep working, keep working. … I've got four-a-days at Žalgiris. You can ask the arena staff, I'm in there four times a day. I go to Barcelona, the worst year of my life ... Even then, working. Now, I've won it. Now, I'm the best. I've done that my whole life, and now I'm finally a winner. I'm finally the best. You don't always get what you work for. Kids grow up hearing that, 'You work hard and you get what you work for.' That doesn't always happen. But you keep working, you keep working, you keep working. And now I'm the best, I'm the MVP, I'm the champion, my hard work paid off, I'm the best. I earned it and I f------ deserved it."
Hayes-Davis' performance has drawn attention from multiple NBA teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. With his great work as of late, he could be a great addition to the Lakers' fold.
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