Crosscourt free agency special: More than 70 players off-contract as clubs weigh up big moves
NBL free agency is about to go into overdrive with some of the competition’s biggest stars — including a past MVP — coming out of contract. Who could your club sign?
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With more than 70 NBL players set to come out of contract at the end of this season, free agency is set to hit fever pitch.
Crosscourt takes a look at the contract status of every player in the league, who is staying, who is going and where we might see a surprise.
How can your club get better in NBL25?
The stats:
– 75 players out-of-contract, including development players and nominated replacement players
– More than 20 players on either player, club or mutual options
– 20 imports out-of-contract
– Fewest players under guaranteed contracts in NBL25: Adelaide 36ers and Cairns Taipans – Three each
– Most players contracted in NBL25: Melbourne United and Perth Wildcats – Seven each (Illawarra has seven, but one is a development player)
Adelaide 36ers
CONTRACTED: Jason Cadee, Sunday Dech, Nick Marshall
OPTION: Jacob Wiley (team)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Akech Aliir (DP), Kyrin Galloway, Isaac Humphries, Trey Kell, Mitch McCarron, Keanu Rasmussen (DP), Jacob Rigoni (NRP), Fraser Roxburgh (DP), Tohi Smith-Milner, Alex Starling, Dejan Vasiljevic, Harvey White (DP)
NEXT STAR: Trentyn Flowers
Sixers management insists nothing is officially done with DJ Vasiljevic and the club wants to wait until a new coach is appointed, but Crosscourt continues to be told a multi-year deal is a fait accompli, with both club and player enamoured. Expect a big shake up under a new mentor, who will likely want to bring in their own players to put a stamp on the battling Sixers.
Mitch McCarron is a certainty for a change of scenery — he has not had the best time of it in Adelaide and his play has been reflective of that. Young big man Kyrin Galloway has never quite put it all together — and hasn’t really been given the chance in Adelaide — but he looms as an intriguing prospect for opposing clubs to take a chance on. Isaac Humphries is among Australia’s best big men and will have no shortage of suitors — including NBA teams. Pre-season, the club was asked about the potential of letting Sunday Dech go and paying part of his contract, which it baulked at. The club denied it at the time, but, after the tough defender’s down season, it might be more open this time, should a team come knocking again.
Brisbane Bullets
CONTRACTED: Josh Bannan, Sam McDaniel, Mitch Norton, Shannon Scott, Chris Smith
OPTION: Tyrell Harrison (Team), Casey Prather (Mutual), Nathan Sobey (Team), Isaac White (Team)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Aron Baynes, Tristan Devers (DP), Gabe Hadley, Matt Johns (DP), DJ Mitchell
NEXT STAR: Rocco Zikarsky
Aron Baynes’ massive near-million-dollar contract comes off the books but the Bullets have back-ended a number of their lesser deals, including Sam McDaniel and Josh Bannan, in order to cope with the big wages bill of NBL24. So that reduces the spend a touch, but they will still be in the market for an elite player with the potential to be better than anyone on the current roster.
They’re an intriguing case, the Bullets. The role players like McDaniel, Mitch Norton, Tyrell Harrison and DJ Mitchell (before he got hurt) have earned their keep. It’s the guys who are supposed to power the team who have been left wanting. Shannon Scott looked like he’d unlocked star Boomers bronze medal-winning guard Nathan Sobey again, before the American pinged a hammy, missed a long stretch and struggled in his return.
Chris Smith has the most beautiful jumpshot in the game but he’s struggled defensively and hasn’t really taken a game by the scruff of the throat. He’s shown flashes he’s capable but the consistency hasn’t been there. Baynes has made more than US$38 million in his career — the Bullets’ next offer, if it comes at all, won’t be anywhere near the two-year marquee deal he signed in 2022. He would need to decide if he wants to play for a tiny fraction of that. The 37-year-old is said to be a great mentor for 17-year-old teen giant Rocco Zikarsky, who will demand a greater role next season — would an off-court Udonis Haslem-Miami-Heat-style leadership role be something Baynes would consider?
And then there’s Sobey. There’s such a yin and yang to his game — the brilliant mixed with the not-so-good: He’s pouring in 20 points per game but shooting under 25 per cent from deep, on nearly seven shots per game. Still one of the top-five Australian two guards in the league, there’s a strong case to keep the 33-year-old. Could the Bullets renegotiate a new deal on a longer term for less money? Could player and club part ways?
There’s a scenario where Sobey, Baynes and both imports aren’t in Bullets colours at season’s end.
Big decisions incoming for Justin Schueller, Stu Lash, Mal Watts and Co, with a few that will be made for them in the run to the end of the season.
Cairns Taipans
CONTRACTED: Taran Armstrong, Akoldah Gak, Sam Mennenga
OPTION: Lachlan Anderson (Team), Jonah Antonio (Team), Kian Dennis (DP, Team), Alex Mudronja (DP, Team)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Bul Kuol, Lat Mayen, Tahjere McCall, Patrick Miller, Josh Roberts, Sam Waardenburg
NEXT STAR: Bobi Klintman
Cairns face a franchise-defining off-season, with six stars off-contract at season’s end, including veteran Tahjere McCall and reliable Kiwi big man Sam Waardenburg.
Expect the Taipans to re-sign Waardenburg, but tough decisions could be made throughout the roster in a bid to climb up the ladder. Cairns have threatened to be a force all season, but inconsistency has left them stranded in eighth position and in real danger of missing the finals. The Taipans would love to re-sign gun import guard Patrick Miller – a man who has showcased his class in NBL24.
Miller has averaged a stat-sheet stuffing 18.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6 assists – and looks like the perfect player to build a bright future around if the club can convince him to stay. The major challenge for Cairns will be fending off rich offers from Asia and Europe. The Taipans can’t compete with the big dollars on offer overseas, but they have the system and culture to entice Miller to stay.
Illawarra Hawks
CONTRACTED: Todd Banchfield, Sam Froling, Dan Grida, Hyunjung Lee (SRP), Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling, Luca Yates (DP)
OPTION: Biwali Bayles (DP, Team)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Gary Clark, Tyler Harvey, Will Hickey, Harry Morris (DP), Justin Robinson, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk
NEXT STAR: AJ Johnson
There’s an intriguing situation unfolding at the Hawks. On the up under interim coach Justin Tatum — they still need to decide what they’re doing with the vacant coaching role, long-term — could this be Tyler Harvey’s last season at the Hawks? The former NBA man is a revered figure but is it time for a change? Here’s a left-field idea — if Harvey, in his fourth year in the league, which opens the door — can become an Australian citizen (Perth supporters, look away now) it opens up new worlds for the Hawks.
Prior to the current uptick in form, Illawarra powerbrokers had mulled a major roster change, with point guard Justin Robinson on notice. But he, like the team, has turned things around, so those conversations will be interesting at season’s end. Sam Froling is a gun, rookie centre Lachlan Olbrich should take a leap and, after a slow start, the Hawks might consider keeping import Gary Clark, unless Tatum or whoever is appointed as the new coach, wants to start fresh with the import content in the locker room.
Melbourne United
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
Don’t look now, but the top-of-the-table United are set up for a period of sustained success. Three veterans — Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili — and three younger guns — Kyle Bowen, Flynn Cameron, Tanner Krebs — are locked away, with the biggest question mark right now around Luke Travers’ status next season. There remains a huge chance the Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick will remain with the club through NBL25. He’s on a three-year deal in Melbourne and the Cavs openly love what they see in his development under Dean Vickerman and company.
JLA lobs it to LT for the very nice finish 🤌
— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) December 31, 2023
📺 ESPN via Kayo pic.twitter.com/euys1oylTY
They’re also noncommittal on next season — just yet — and that’s just fine with LT, who has shown an ability at both ends that he’s confident will translate to an NBA career. Suggestions of a two-way could entice, but is the G League/sitting-on-the-end-of-an-NBA-bench still the best path, given his expansive role in Melbourne? Expect Jo Lual-Acuil Jr to try his hand at the NBA again, but he will be back if that doesn’t eventuate. Ian Clark has been brilliant — when available — and, should he keep the pesky soft tissue injuries that have plagued him, at bay, expect United to try to retain the Sixth Man of the Year favourite — provided another club doesn’t swoop in with a Godfather offer. Aussie hoops legend Brad Newley has already signed to play in the NBL1 with Frankston, which leaves the door open for another season for the evergreen veteran.
New Zealand Breakers
CONTRACTED: Finn Delany, Dane Pineau, Max Darling (DP), Carlin Davison (DP), Alex McNaught (DP)
OPTION: Will McDowell-White (Player option)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Tom Abercrombie, Zylan Cheatham, Izayah Le’Afa, Dan Fotu, Cam Gliddon, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Justinian Jessup, Dominique Kelman-Poto (NRP), Anthony Lamb, Mangok Mathiang.
NEXT STAR: Mantas Rubstavicius
With a whopping 10 players off-contract, it’s going to be a fascinating free agency period for the New Zealand Breakers.
The Breakers will be keen to retain import duo Zylan Cheatham and Parker Jackson-Cartwright, but as we’ve always seen, keeping imports is a challenge.
Elite talents Cheatham and Jackson-Cartwright would be perfect pieces to build the Breakers alongside franchise guard Will McDowell-White. At present, New Zealand only has two top rostered players – Finn Delany and Dane Pineau – contracted beyond this season. This will guarantee a busy free agency period for the Breakers, who need to make the right moves to become a genuine championship force.
Perth Wildcats
CONTRACTED: Bryce Cotton, Hyrum Harris, Michael Harris (DP upgrade), Ben Henshall, David Okwera, Keanu Pinder, Dontae Russo-Nance (DP upgrade)
OPTION: Corey Webster (Team), Tai Webster (Team)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Jack Andrew (DP), Kristian Doolittle, Jordan Usher, Jesse Wagstaff, Kyle Zunic
NEXT STAR: Alex Sarr
An interesting factor among the top-two teams in the league is that they each have the highest number of players contracted for next season — which could spell bad news for the chasing pack, moving forward. The Wildcats will have to make at least two changes at season’s end, with development players Michael Harris and Dontae Russo-Nance both slated for elevation to the full roster. Little-used point guard Kyle Zunic is odds on to be one of those, while the obvious answer is one (or both) of the Webster brothers, who are both on team options. Elder Corey has fallen out of the rotation and battled injury, while younger Tai has played a key role in the Cats’ resurgence. With young prodigy Ben Henshall waiting in the wings and in need of more minutes to develop, parting ways with the Kiwi pair could make sense.
Import Kristian Doolittle came in late, but looms as a priority re-signing, given his fit with Cotton and Co on both ends of the floor.
Kristian Doolittle finishes the first quarter with a huge 12 points and Perth has raced out to an early lead against the Adelaide 36ers 💪
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) December 28, 2023
Watch #NBL live on ESPN! 📺 pic.twitter.com/8ypE0EjOLb
The Wildcats have not given up the chase for elusive Australian citizenship for superstar Bryce Cotton — despite years of frustration — bursting with anticipation at the doors his local eligibility could open up. A line-up of Keanu Pinder — import four/Kristian Doolittle — Kristian Doolittle/Hyrum Harris — Bryce Cotton — import point guard/marquee local looks tantalising. Don’t be surprised, after missing out in the off-season, if the Cats go hard again at New Zealand’s William McDowell-White, who has a mutual option with the Breakers.
The Wildcats shopped contracted players Mitch Norton, Todd Blanchfield and Zunic, pre-season, finding homes for the former pair in Brisbane and Illawarra, respectively. But Zunic has languished on the bench and Crosscourt has been told there is at least one club who sees the 24-year-old as a potential back-up point guard in NBL25.
After a stellar NBL24, old faithful Jesse Wagstaff will likely be allowed to make his own decision on whether to add a 17th season, while import Jordan Usher looms as an interesting case. The American arrived in Australia with much fanfare, promising to win Defensive Player of the Year. But, after spending much of the early part of the season getting torched, a move to the bench and a simplified role has rejuvenated him under John Rillie. It’s never easy to make big, unforced changes to settled teams — especially if the Wildcats managed to win the chip — but a decision on whether what Usher brings as an import is enough will be weighed up.
South East Melbourne Phoenix
CONTRACTED: Ben Ayre, Mitch Creek, Owen Foxwell, Matt Kenyon, Rhys Vague, Alan Williams
OPTION: Anzac Rissetto (Team)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Gary Browne, Gorjok Gak, Craig Moller, Abdel Nader, Austin Rapp (DP), Luke Rosendale (DP), Kody Stattmann (DP), Reuben Te Rangi
Cornerstones Mitch Creek and Alan Williams are locked away for NBL25, while both Matt Kenyon and Ben Ayre have been solid additions. SEM is locked into Rhys Vague next season but his return to the NBL has been underwhelming and they would want more out of the big man at both ends. Big Sauce is up there with Zhou Qi as one of the franchise’s highest-paid players ever but Creek’s cap-friendly deal gives the Phoenix wiggle room.
Gary Browne is much-loved but has had a pair of “brain fades” that have put his name in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
Just when you thought Gary Browne's bag couldn't get any deeper...
— NBL (@NBL) December 30, 2023
Catch the action live on ESPN via Kayo. pic.twitter.com/WzoXzTfypB
He’s missed games through injury and mixed some marvellous play with more middling stuff that the club would like to see reach a consistently higher level. Don’t be surprised if the Phoenix keep Craig Moller around — he was the club’s best defender before he went down with a season-ending knee injury. Aside from the obvious need of high-level defenders around Williams and Creek and elite shooting, especially from a third import, it feels like out-of-favour Sydney King Angus Glover would fit nicely in this squad, as would a Dan Grida-type, who plays his guts out but has been plagued by injury at the Hawks.
Sydney Kings
CONTRACTED: Klairus Amir (DP), Jaylin Galloway, Angus Glover, Jackson Makoi (DP),
OPTION: DJ Hogg (Mutual option), Makuach Maluach (Team option)
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Jaylen Adams, Jonah Bolden, Shaun Bruce, Zac Gattorna (DP), Jordan Hunter, Kouat Noi, Jasper Rentoy (DP), Sam Timmins, Denzel Valentine
NEXT STAR: Alex Toohey (2-years)
Sustained success also brings roster challenges, as the Sydney Kings are experiencing. Expect more movement in the coming months, with nine players off-contract, including star imports like Jaylen Adams and Denzel Valentine. There is no guarantee both Adams and Valentine will remain at the Kings beyond this season, especially if the team fails to win another championship.
Sydney also has key locals Shaun Bruce, Jonah Bolden and Jordan Hunter off-contract. The Kings will make Hunter and Bruce priority re-signings, while it wouldn’t be a surprise if Bolden extended to play again next season. Rising Sydney stars Alex Toohey and Jaylin Galloway are contracted beyond NBL24, but with the NBA circling, both could leave the club at season’s end. Toohey is weighing up declaring for this year’s NBA draft – and Galloway has multiple NBA teams showing interest for at least a two-way deal. If both players end up in the NBA, it will leave a hole in the Kings roster.
Tasmania JackJumpers
CONTRACTED: Milton Doyle, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald (DP Upgrade), Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl, Walter Brown (DP)
OPTION:
OUT-OF-CONTRACT: Jarred Bairstow, Lachlan Barker (NRP), Jordon Crawford, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Marcus Lee, Will Magnay, Majok Majok (NRP), Junior Madut (deactivated), Tom Vodanovich, Jacob Richards (DP)
Injury after injury put the ability that once made Will Magnay an NBA player in the rear view mirror for some time. But the athletic giant has given a timely reminder of just how good he can be in NBL23.
ICYMI Mags is backkk ðŸ”
— Tasmania JackJumpers 🜠(@JackJumpers) January 6, 2024
Watch the last minutes on ESPN via Kayo pic.twitter.com/Vp6fiHEGeC
Aside from fitness, Magnay, 25 and 208cm, looms as one of the most-coveted free agents, given the dearth of difference-making local bigs set to hit the market.
The JackJumpers, this month, axed former SEM Phoenix wing Junior Madut to reinforce its frontline with the arrival of Sydney Kings championship forward Tom Vodanovich. Coach Scott Roth said it was a business decision, given injury questions over Majok Deng and Magnay, but it never looked like Madut had endeared himself in Tasmania and will now hunt for a third club in as many years.
Impressive Aussie guard Sean Macdonald will be upgraded to the full roster and will likely take on an even larger role in NBL25. Jarred Bairstow is unlikely to be back, while big import Marcus Lee is a great human, but has continued to struggle with foul trouble, negating his impact.
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