NBL Grand Final Series: No time to dwell for Melbourne United with key decisions to be made ahead of next season

Two days between the heart-wrenching NBL Grand Final series loss, awards night, and then it’s decision time for Melbourne United regarding next season’s roster, says chief executive Nick Truelson.

Melbourne United won’t have much time to dwell on its brutal NBL grand final defeat.

And that’s exactly how ever-positive club boss Nick Truelson wants it.

United’s loaded roster ploughed through the regular season with a 20-8 record and, while Truelson admits the title was one that got away, the club will use that as fuel for next season.

“We’ve got to make sure we stay humble to who we are and say ‘hats off, Tasmania were too good in the end’,” Truelson said.

“But there’ll be that burning desire over the off-season. That was one we let slip and it’s then going to be up to us if we can bounce back and go that extra step next year.

“Tasmania were phenomenal. Three years and they’ve been able to do what they’ve done, captured the imagination of fans in Tasmania, sellout every game, created this fortress down there and, with the AFL team coming in, they’ve helped to fuel the fire for sport down there.

“When you break it down, we’ve missed out by two points in a five-game series where the last three were all decided by the same margin.

“People are talking about it as one of the greatest series of all time.

“Unfortunately, we’re on the end of the losing part of that, but I take heart in the fact that we’ve got a lot of players on contract next year and I look forward to us getting through this time.”

CEO Nick Truelson is taking positive approach after the NBL Grand Final series loss. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Next up

It’s Truelson’s hope in the 48 hours between Sunday’s defeat and Tuesday night’s MVP awards for United, each individual can begin to come to grips with their disappointment and take stock of a season where the club made it back to the top of the league, almost scooped the pool at the league awards and took the title down to the last second.

“There isn’t much time before we have to flip our heads straight into free agency,” he said.

“We can’t really dwell on it too long.

“We’ve got MVP awards Tuesday, there’ll be exit interviews Tuesday-Wednesday and then we’re straight into it.

“A fair few guys will be gone by the end of the week, playing overseas and in NBL1.

“We’ll have to look at free agency and try to make sure we bounce back.”

It won’t be long before decisions will need to be made for next season. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Squad look

CONTRACTED: Kyle Bowen, Flynn Cameron, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Luke Travers

OPTION: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Player), Malith Machar (DP, Team), Zac Triplett (Team)

OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Campbell Blogg (DP), Ian Clark, Tom Koppens (DP), Brad Newley

NEXT STAR: Ariel Hukporti (NBA hopes)

While United has seven players contracted, it’s still going to be a busy off-season.

Jo Lual-Acuil is likely to opt in or renegotiate his deal, Brad Newley has retired and German Next Star Ariel Hukporti has signed a short-term deal to play with his hometown team Ludwigsburg, prior to the NBA draft.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr will be among several players with an option on his contract. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Veteran stars Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding and Shea Ili are locked away, as well as rookies Kyle Bowen and Flynn Cameron and utility Tanner Krebs.

There’s an intrigue around Luke Travers. The Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick will likely have a two-way deal, with a full contract preferred. United would have a decision to make if either of those scenarios eventuated, with under-contract Jack White, currently in the NBA G League, always on their radars. If Lual-Acuil Jr returns, the club would look at another big Next Star to back him up as a replacement for Hukporti.

Reaching out

In the hours after the minor premiers fell to Tasmania 83-81 in the championship decider, Truelson was busy in the belly of John Cain Arena consoling and rallying devastated players, coaches, staff and owners.

“(Coach) Dean Vickerman and CG (Chris Goulding) spoke to the team and I said a few words,” Truelson said.

“They were really down, I wanted to make sure they knew how proud the ownership and front office and fans were of them.

“We talked a lot about that family connection and how important that is and the connection between the players and coaches and staff that will help them share this heartbreak.

“Last year you miss the playoffs by a bucket. You go on this journey and then you miss the championship by a bucket.”

Phenomenal year

Some will deem United’s season a failure.

In just about every measure but the big one, it’s been a raging success.

As much as the JackJumpers are a juggernaut in Tassie, United continues to set the standard among NBL clubs.

“You put the heartbreak of that result to the side, we’ve had as good a year as you could nearly hope for.

“Ten sellouts, 180,000 people come through John Cain Arena to watch us play.

“My message to the team is don’t underestimate the impact you’ve had on boys and girls in the community.

“The game is in such a great position.

“We’ve had records everywhere: sponsorship, ticketing, membership, corporate hospitality. Unbelievable.

“We’ll go on to break more records next year and see if we can go one step further.”

Truelson is one of the best chief executives in the NBL and was recognised in February when awarded the NBL24 Executive of the Year Award. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images for NBL

Looking ahead

The goal of 14 sellouts is next — but Truelson says that comes down to scheduling and the coveted Sunday afternoon time slot.

“We’re working with the league on that and I hope they can see the fact we are one of the hottest tickets in town when it comes to their blockbuster games,” he said.

If United can pack out the 10,000-seat JCA regularly, what’s next?

Nearby Rod Laver Arena is a discussion that’s ever-evolving.

“Selling out every week’s a good thing, it means that you’ve got this phenomenal product and you don’t want to grow and then go into a new stadium then don’t sell it out,” Truelson said.

“Rod Laver, it’s about working through on the corporate footprint. We’ve got courtside seats there, but we’ve got 56 boxes and they’re all sold.

“If you move it, you get more people in the stadium, around 15,000, but how does that work for our supporters?

“Down the track, hopefully we can get to that stage.

“It might be a case of is there two Throwdowns (v South East Melbourne) we work towards?”

Originally published as NBL Grand Final Series: No time to dwell for Melbourne United with key decisions to be made ahead of next season