Strained relationships, contract dramas: Factors that contributed to Wildcats losing NBL superstar Bryce Cotton
The Perth Wildcats only have themselves to blame amid claims the club botched the chance to secure their champion guard.
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Perth Wildcats fans are fuming following Bryce Cotton’s bombshell defection to arch rivals Adelaide, but the Wildcats only have themselves to blame amid claims the club botched the chance to secure the champion guard.
Cotton has done what many thought was the unthinkable and penned a three-year multimillion dollar deal with the 36ers.
The Adelaide move comes as a shock given he looked destined to sign a lucrative contract in Japan after announcing his exit from Perth in March.
Instead, Cotton has signed with the 36ers in one of the biggest free agency coups in NBL history.
And to rub salt into an already gaping wound for Perth fans, it has emerged the Wildcats front office didn’t help their chances of re-signing the star guard.
According to multiple reports, Perth officials failed to consult Cotton before extending coach John Rillie’s contract for a further three seasons in 2024.
It’s well known in NBL circles that Rillie has a strained and strictly professional relationship with the champion guard.
Cotton’s wife, Rachael, took to social media in 2023 to publicly criticise Rillie’s coaching and to suggest it wasn’t helping her husband.
“When there is no system within the team, and the players don’t have clear roles, not one player has been reliable at the job they are meant do,” she wrote on X.
“It’s pretty hard to thrive when you’re the most heavily scouted player in the league.”
The tension between Cotton and Rillie has brewed behind the surface ever since – and despite a vow to work professionally – the relationship was clearly fractured.
This came to the fore during the gun guard’s contract extension negotiations last season.
Cotton made it clear he wanted to put talks to the side to focus on Perth’s NBL25 campaign, saying he will deal with his contract at season’s end.
In a bid to fend off rivals, Wildcats owner Mark Arena went public last December to announce the club’s strong desire to retain its star guard.
Arena declared Cotton should be compensated like the ‘best player in the NBL’, offering a contract extension to help the American become the highest paid player in the competition’s 45 year history.
“It is obvious to us that Bryce has been and continues to be the best player in the NBL and as a result of that, he should be compensated accordingly,” Arena said.
“We believe our offer to Bryce reflects that reality.”
It’s understood Arena’s public push to re-sign Cotton didn’t go down well with the superstar guard.
These frustrations were further compounded when the Wildcats reportedly missed two deadlines during contract negotiations.
This all played a major role in Cotton deciding to leave Perth following nine successful seasons, including three championships.
And while he said he didn’t think he’d play for another NBL team, he has changed this stance to pen a historic deal with Adelaide.
It sets up a must-watch clash the next time the 36ers take on Perth.
Biggest free agency coups in NBL history
Andrew Bogut to the Sydney Kings in 2018
Bogut was poised to sign with Melbourne United in 2018 – but the deal broke down at the final hurdle due to a disagreement over the control of Bogut’s IP.
This small window was enough time for Sydney officials to swoop in and secure the big man’s signature in a matter of days.
NBL officials wanted Bogut to sign with Melbourne, but the Kings promised a deal too good to refuse and the rest is history.
Rob Rose to the Adelaide 36ers in 1994
South East Melbourne Magic fans were shattered when Rose left for Adelaide after delivering the Magic a championship and taking home the NBL MVP in his two seasons at the club.
Rose opted to link with a star-studded 36ers side, featuring Mark Davis, Phil Smyth and Brett Maher.
He helped to steer Adelaide to the NBL title in 1994, while he won the club’s MVP award in ’94 and 1995.
Patty Mills to the Melbourne Tigers in 2011
Mills turned down lucrative European offers to join the Melbourne Tigers during the NBA lockout season in 2011.
He played nine games for the Tigers, averaging 18.6 points, before being released to take up a million dollar contract in China.
Mark Bradtke to the Melbourne Tigers in 1993
Bradtke’s defection from Adelaide to the Melbourne Tigers prompted boos from the Sixers faithful and national headlines.
The big man enjoyed significant success starting his NBL career with the 36ers, including winning the league’s Most Improved Player award in 1989.
But things soon turned sour, when in 1992, he signalled an intent not to return to Adelaide following an off-season Spanish stint despite previously agreeing to play with the club for one more season.
The Tigers were prepared to pay out the remainder of his contract, but the NBL stepped in and vetoed the buyout, allowing Bradtke to leave without the 36ers receiving any compensation for the rest of his deal.
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Originally published as Strained relationships, contract dramas: Factors that contributed to Wildcats losing NBL superstar Bryce Cotton
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