SuperCoach NBL: Teams news and trade tips for round 5

A huge SuperCoach target for coming weeks has been rushed to hospital with the suspected broken rib. He headlines a host of significant SuperCoach NBL players are either out or in doubt for the upcoming round. Get the full lowdown here.

Keanu Pinder is in full training and will play for Perth Wildcats against NZ Breakers on Saturday.

Dylan Windler’s Achilles responded well after last week’s game and he should be a go.

WILDCATS: COTTON BUSTED

NBL superstar import Bryce Cotton has been rushed to hospital in New Zealand with injured ribs.

The four-time league MVP suffered what appeared to be an injury to his midriff as he drove to the basket early in the first quarter of Perth’s clash with New Zealand at Auckland’s Spark Arena.

Just over 30 seconds into the game, Cotton drove down the lane, guarded by Kiwi wing Matt Mooney. Breakers big man reached in to help and Cotton pulled lame as he passed the ball out to teammate Tai Webster.

Bryce Cotton has exited the game following this play.

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The 32-year-old fell to the floor clutching his stomach after what seemed innocuous contact.

He tried to soldier on but was clearly hampered and, less than two minutes later, he faltered at the top of the three-point line and immediately hobbled to the sideline and sat down, grimacing.

Helped up by Wildcats staff, he was taken to the locker room and the club has since confirmed the league’s leading scorer at 22 points per game was taken to hospital with a rib injury.

UNITED: ILI SIDELINED

Melbourne United guard Shea Ili will miss tomorrow’s Throwdown against 0-5 South East Melbourne.

Melbourne United star defender Shea Ili will miss the Throwdown. Picture: Getty Images

Ili has suffered a calf injury and won’t suit up for United as it faces the Phoenix in their first game since Mike Kelly was sacked as coach.

Expect Matthew Dellavedova to be leant on heavily in Ili’s absence, with Ian Clark likely to be injected into the starting lineup.

TAIPANS: ARMSTRONG ‘UNLIKELY’

Tanner Groves won’t play for Cairns against top of the table Illawarra Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Taran Armstrong has not yet been ruled out but coach Adam Forde said Sunday he’s “unlikely”.

Armstrong is currently the seventh most purchased player in SuperCoach this round so reverse trades now.

KINGS: ADAMS A ‘STRONG’ CHANCE

Sydney star Jaylen Adams is considered a “strong” chance to take the court for the Kings against Tasmania on Friday night.

Adams battled stiffness in his lower back over the weekend but the issue wasn’t serious enough for scans and he is scheduled to practice on Wednesday.

Adams was a huge out for SuperCoaches as the fourth most popular captain.

Jaylen Adams was a crucial withdrawal last week. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

NZ BREAKERS: TOP CHEAPIE OUT

SuperCoaches who need a cheapie this week will have to look elsewhere after Breakers bargain Dane Pineau was sidelined with a calf strain.

Pineau is set for a price rise after his next game after scoring 16 points over the first two rounds at the basement price of $69,000.

He isn’t the only Breaker set to miss this week’s double. Next Star Karim Lopez ($115k FWD) is also out with a hand injury.

But power forward Jonah Bolden ($245k FWD/CTR) is likely to return after missing the last NBL v NBA game following a leg knock.

The Breakers have returned from a two-week trip to the US and will play twice in each of the next three rounds, making NZ players prime trade targets in SuperCoach.

Superstar Parker Jackson-Cartwright is the most traded player heading into round 5, ahead of teammate Sam Mennenga.

BULLETS

Brisbane forward Deng Adel has been ruled out due to a leg injury.

ADELAIDE 36ers

Big news out of the 36ers with boom big man Montrezl Harrell set to stay at the club for the rest of the season, which will spark a shake-up of on-court roles as Jarrell Martin returns from injury.

Martin, a former Sydney Kings NBL champion who is priced at $277k in SuperCoach, will suit up against Tasmania on Sunday for his first professional appearance since last December when he wrecked his knee while playing in Turkey.

He will be on a minutes restriction on his return.

Montrezl Harrell is staying in Adelaide. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Harrell was initially signed on a two-and-a-half-month injury replacement contract but he is now set to play alongside Martin as he eyes a return to the NBA.

Harrell – who is now going by the nickname “Aussie Monsta” – leads the NBL in rebounding at 10.3 per game to go with 15.7 points and one block for an average of 31 SuperCoach points.

SEM PHOENIX

The other huge NBL news this week is the sacking of South East Melbourne coach Mike Kelly after the Phoenix’s 0-5 start. Sam Mackinnon has stepped in as the interim coach but it is yet to be seen how the move could impact SuperCoach – watch this space.

MORE TO COME

Originally published as SuperCoach NBL: Teams news and trade tips for round 5