Inside The Celtics

Celtics' Joe Mazzulla is Scouting EuroLeague Star

Nelson Espinal|
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was spotted at a basketball game in Turkey, reportedly scouting a EuroLeague player.

On Monday, Mazzulla was spotted at the Turkish League Finals watching forward Nigel Hayes-Davis play for Fenerbahce.

EuroHoops reported that Mazzulla was in fact looking at Hayes-Davis' game, though this is not the first time that Boston has been interested in the forward.

Hayes-Davis worked out for the Celtics in the lead-up to the 2016 NBA Draft. Despite working out for other teams, he decided to return to Wisconsin for his senior year of college basketball.

He ended up going undrafted in 2017 and started with the New York Knicks G-League team.

The Wisconsin product ended up playing a total of nine NBA in his short career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings.

After failing to get another opportunity in the league, he made the move overseas and has had a good amount of success.

Hayes-Davis averaged 16.7 points per game this season while shooting 41% from 3-point range in 39 EuroLeague games. His production netted him a spot on the All-EuroLeague First Team.

“There is very serious interest from the NBA for Nigel Hayes-Davis and Tarik Biberovic,” Yannier said, according to a translation from Sportando of an interview with TRT Sports Star.

“I hope they continue with us, but if they say, ‘I want to try in the NBA,’ we won’t stand in their way.”

This is not the first time that the Celtics have been linked to Hayes-Davis; there were rumors back in 2021 of interest, but a move never materialized.

Given the Celtics are limited with resources, Hayes-Davis could represent an affordable role player that could provide depth to a roster that should look very different come next season.

Boston could face competition for his services, however, since every team in the league could use a rotational wing player who can shoot the ball well, but prior links could help get the deal over the line for the Celtics.

More Celtics news: Celtics Star Viewed as Top Trade Candidate: Report

Celtics Could Face Steep Punishment If Stars Aren't Traded

Top 5 Jrue Holiday Replacements For Celtics Amid Trade Rumors

Breaking Down Potential Celtics Trade Package for Giannis Antetokounmpo

Celtics Forward Shares Encouraging Update on Jayson Tatum Achilles Recovery

Three Teams Emerging as Top Trade Destinations for Celtics' Jrue Holiday: Report

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.

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Nelson Espinal
NELSON ESPINAL

Nelson Espinal lives and breathes sports. Avidly following of everything ranging from motorsports to Mixed Martial Arts to tennis, he is connected with most of the sports world at all times. His dream of writing about sports started at 16 years of age, writing for a Lakers fans blog, and his passions for sports writing has grown since. He has his Bachelor's degree in Political Science, and a minor in writing literature from the University of California, San Diego.

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