Coronavirus: Departing Sydney Kings guard Casper Ware open to return if salary situation improves
Casper Ware may not be totally lost to the Sydney Kings after all, with the American import open to the possibility of a return ‘if the NBL's financial situation changes’ post coronavirus.
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Casper Ware has left the door open for a return to the NBL but only if the league’s position on its drastic salary cuts changes.
American point guard Ware was one of five high-profile players who exercised their right to opt out of their contracts before Monday’s deadline.
The option was part of an agreement between the NBL, its nine clubs and the players’ association that resulted in player salaries for next season being slashed by up to 50 per cent due to the dire financial outlook caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Ware was joined by dual NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and Nick Kay (both Perth), Matt Hodgson (Brisbane) and Xavier Cooks (Sydney) in cancelling their deals. Ware was the league’s highest-paid import last season after being lured to Sydney from Melbourne United, where he had been part of a title-winning team in 2018.
“My agent and I will still be in talks with the Kings and if the financial situation changes then we may be able to make something work in the future,” Ware said.
“I want to thank the Sydney Kings organisation, my teammates, coaches and the great city of Sydney for always having our backs this season.
“I’m disappointed that we didn’t get to finish the season the way we wanted and bring the trophy back to Sydney.
“My hope is that some day we can bring the ‘Chip (championship) back to where it belongs.”
Each of the five players who opted out of their deals will be tied to their respective clubs if they change their minds and return to the NBL next season.
NBL chief executive Larry Kestelman took a positive view of the relatively small number of players who chose to leave and is confident coronavirus restrictions will allow imports to play in Australia next season.
“We are very pleased that 90 per cent of contracted players have chosen to remain with their NBL clubs,” Kestelman said.
“This is a great endorsement of the NBL and its status as one of the leading basketball leagues in the world and we thank the players for their support.”
Australian basketball’s second-tier competitions have been cancelled for 2020 but the NBL this week commenced work on identifying a start date for its 2020-21 season.
The season usually begins in October but Kestelman said the league will not hesitate to push that back if coronavirus restrictions will prevent fans from attending games.
NBL loses another superstar as reality hits hard
Sydney Kings star Casper Ware is the latest high-profile import to opt out of his NBL contract as a result of the league’s salary cuts.
The American point guard was the highest-paid import in the NBL last season after Sydney lured him away from Melbourne United.
But an agreement struck in April between the NBL, its nine clubs and the Australian Basketball Players’ Association would have resulted in Ware’s contract slashed by 50 per cent next season.
The deal is part of the league’s cost-cutting measures in dire financial circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBL confirmed that Ware will now test the market overseas, following dual NBL MVP Bryce Cotton (Perth), Matt Hodgson (Brisbane) and Xavier Cooks (Sydney) in pulling the pin in recent days.
Players have a deadline of May 4 to decide whether to exit their contracts. NBL chief executive Larry Kestelman is hopeful that players who choose to look at other options overseas could still return to Australia.
Clubs who lose players under the April agreement will retain rights to those players if they do return Down Under next season.
“We respect the rights of players to test the market,” Kestelman said.
“The agreement with the Australian Basketball Players’ Association was done by the NBL on behalf of the clubs who were unanimous in their support of the players and wanted to avoid stand downs as they managed the impact of the virus.
“Those players who choose to explore their options can still opt back in to their NBL contracts and we believe there will be a number who do so as the situation in regards to COVID-19 and its impact on various basketball leagues around the world becomes clearer.”
In better news for the NBL, Boomers swingman Mitch Creek has announced he is staying with South East Melbourne.
Creek said in April he was weighing up his options in order to take care of financial obligations after having his salary cut in half.
On Monday Creek reaffirmed his commitment to the NBL’s newest franchise, which made its debut last season.
“I’m staying to repay the fans and the club,” Creek said.
“We started something, and I want to continue to build it.
“It will be tough, but everyone is doing it tough, our fans are doing it tough and that’s why I’ve decided to stay and get through this together.”
Originally published as Coronavirus: Departing Sydney Kings guard Casper Ware open to return if salary situation improves
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