The Boston Celtics are set for a busy offseason.
Brad Stevens and the front office have been tasked with giving head coach Joe Mazzulla a roster that can remain competitive next year, despite the fact they will be without their best player, Jayson Tatum, while also needing to cut salary in order to avoid the second apron of the NBA’s salary cap.
Threading the needle is not going to be easy for the Celtics, and it’s going to require a team effort. With that in mind, Mazzulla’s latest scouting trip, which took him across the world, has quickly caught the attention of fans.
On Monday, Mazzulla was spotted in Istanbul, Turkey, watching a Basketball Super League playoff clash between Fenerbahce and Bachesehir. According to reports, Mazzulla was there to scout Fenerbahce star Nigel Hayes-Davis, who has reportedly been drawing NBA interest.
“Nigel Hayes-Davis finished with 10 points and seven rebounds in front of Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who travelled to Turkey to take a look at the American forward,” a report from EuroHoops said.
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Boston Celtics Başantrenörü Joe Mazzulla, eşi Camai ile birlikte; Bahçeşehir Koleji – Fenerbahçe Beko maçını bugün Sinan Erdem Spor Salonu'nda takip edenler arasında. pic.twitter.com/A1alGj7EKd— Ferhat Yeşiltaş (@NeoRock06) June 9, 2025
Hayes-Davis went undrafted in the 2017 NBA draft before spending time with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings. In nine NBA games, Hayes-Davis averaged three points, 2.4 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
Since 2018, Hayes-Davis has been playing basketball overseas, and he’s been with Fenerbahce since 2022. In 39 contests this season, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
While Hayes-Davis flamed out in his first NBA stint, his consistently strong play in Turkey has caught the attention of NBA scouts. That includes Mazzulla, whose Celtics could be willing to take a flier on a rangy wing that could be picked up on a cheap deal.
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For now, no deal is imminent, but Joe Mazzulla’s trek to Turkey shows he’s committed to doing whatever he can to unearth some diamonds in the rough for the Celtics. If he’s successful in his task, Boston could end up surprising folks next season, even with Tatum likely to be on the mend for the entire year.