NBL2024: Adelaide 36ers abandon Trentyn Flowers point guard experiment

After two embarrassing losses at the NBL Blitz, Adelaide 36ers have abandoned their experiment with an 18-year-old Next Star point guard. See who is on the chopping block.

The Trentyn Flowers point guard experiment in Adelaide is over.

The club is now targeting an import playmaker as it works to part ways with a third American in four seasons, with Jamaal Franklin on the chopping block.

Flowers, 18, was the last Next Star to sign with an NBL club, joining the 36ers with ambitions of running the team — raising eyebrows among seasoned talent-watchers due to his inexperience in the role.

Across two embarrassing losses at the NBL Blitz where Flowers had a combined 11 turnovers, it became clear the teen was not yet ready to run a team at the elite level and Code Sports understands he has been mature in conversations with the club and agreed a move to the wing would be mutually beneficial, moving forward.

Trentyn Flowers will shift to the wing. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Code Sports has confirmed the Sixers plan to cut scoring guard Jamaal Franklin — before he’s appeared in an official regular season game — after it became clear his isolation-style play was not conducive to winning basketball.

It’s understood agents monitoring the situation have reached out to the Sixers in recent days, offering up their clients’ services.

Franklin’s impending departure comes on the back of last season’s high profile axing of Craig Randall II’s after just seven games last season and the exit of former NBA guard Donald Sloan in early 2021.

Code Sports has been told the club already has a shortlist of players, which includes a former NBL guard, it wants to replace the San Diego State product, who most recently played in the Philippines.

The Sixers are mindful of the urgency, with their NBL24 opener next Friday night, but plan to take their time, one source saying the decision could take up to a month.