Adelaide 36ers hit back at bombshell claims by former import Kendric Davis over bitter split, shock move to Sydney Kings

Departed import Kendric Davis has lifted the lid on his messy departure from Adelaide, but the 36ers have refuted his bombshell claims – and say they have the receipts to prove it.

Adelaide has fired back at former import Kendric Davis after he levelled a number of stunning allegations at the 36ers, laying bare the simmering bitterness at his former NBL club.

The Sixers slammed claims from Davis, now with the Sydney Kings, that the Adelaide club “ghosted” him over a new contract, then tried to force him to sign a lesser offer, saying they were completely baseless – and they have the receipts to prove it.

Davis said the Sixers tried to force him to sign a contract before he left to play in China, then flew to Nanjing and got “mad” when he wouldn’t put pen to paper.

“We came to an agreement and they disappeared. They just ghosted me in February during the season,” Davis said on NBL Now.

“And I was calling, ‘Hey, what’s going on? I want to be a 36er, what’s going on?’ … I love the community, and they ghosted me.

“They stopped answering calls. Then after that, they changed the number on the contract to a lower number.”

But Adelaide owner Grant Kelley, basketball boss Matt Weston, and chief executive Nic Barbato – the men who just pulled off arguably the greatest free agency coup in NBL history, enticing legendary Perth Wildcats import Bryce Cotton to the 36ers – all said it was Davis who turned his back on the club and forced them to withdraw their offer, which was never decreased.

Kendric Davis has opened up on his bitter departure from Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

While stunned at Davis’ “bizarre” handling of his exit and ensuing comments, Kelley, Weston and Barbato had vowed to keep detail of the messy departure in-house – provided the American guard followed suit.

But each felt Davis’ public comments left them no choice but to set the record straight.

The Sixers provided CODE Sports with a timeline of events that contradict Davis’ claims.

The club said its records show officials spoke with Davis or his management about a new contract on four occasions in February and twice in March.

Weston, who spent years in China as an official with the national team and the CBA and speaks fluent mandarin, said he flew to Asia in March to help Davis settle in and again discuss the three-year contract offer. He would not reveal details of the deal but CODE Sports understands that contract would have been the richest in NBL history – $1.13 million per over three years – before Cotton signed for close to $1.4 million per season.

Adelaide 36ers basketball boss Matt Weston and departed import Kendric Davis, pictured in China prior to discussing a contract extension over dinner at the pricey Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Picture: Supplied

That discussion occurred over dinner at the pricey Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Nanjing – where some steaks can set you back over $250 – all at the club’s expense.

“We left that meeting confident Kendric was going to sign,” Weston recalled.

But, from there, Weston said Davis’ demeanour switched, things went sour and the Sixers were forced to walk back their offer.

Davis believes the Sixers’ decision to withdraw their offer “worked out perfect” because outgoing Kings chief executive Chris Pongrass “called and said, ‘I did my research. Talked to 15 NBA teams. They all said ‘you’re an NBA player. They don’t know when your chance is going to be here, but you are a lock NBA player’, and we think we can get you to the NBA’.”

He compared his experience to that of Cotton’s, he left Perth on not-so-good terms with ownership and management after nearly a decade of some of the best basketball ever seen in the NBL.

“It hurt me seeing the way it ended because we went through trials and tribulations together, and you hate to see it end that way,” Davis said

“Nobody knew who Kendric Davis was in the NBL. Adelaide gave me that platform to show who I was, and I’m forever grateful.

“I just wish it would’ve ended better.

“But you see how Bryce Cotton did for Perth, and you see how that ended.”

Kendric Davis compared his experience to Bryce Cotton — the man who replaced him in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

In a statement to CODE Sports, the Sixers refuted aspects of Davis’ statements on the podcast.

“The Adelaide 36ers, at all times, acted in good faith with Davis and his representatives, initiating contract discussions and remaining in constant communication with an intention to have him re-sign with the club,” the statement read.

“The club is comfortable with the outcome and is now focused on finalising its roster for NBL26.”

Davis was involved in public and private bust ups – most notably when he was suspended for two games for his role in the fan confrontation at John Cain Arena in November, where he reacted to a racial taunt from a crowd member.

During his suspension, the Sixers allowed Davis to return home to Texas to spend time with his family.

Davis was a dynamic performer in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

The relationship between star player and coach Mike Wells had devolved throughout the season and the pair had several run-ins, most notably in a practice during November’s FIBA break and then following a January win over Illawarra.

Weston said he’d embraced Davis “like a son” and invited him to spend Christmas with his family. Davis often shot Tiktok videos with Weston’s daughters.

“I’m very disappointed that it’s got to this, I’ll move on but I’m just disappointed,” Weston said.

It’s understood the Sixers learned Davis, who was MVP runner-up to Cotton after averaging 25.6 points and 7.8 assists, had signed with the Kings through the media.

Davis is still battling the club over the return of some of his belongings. But CODE Sports has been told the Sixers spent hours compiling those belongings, boxing them and shipping them to the US – at a cost of over $3000 – but they were never collected and ended up being returned to the club.

Originally published as Adelaide 36ers hit back at bombshell claims by former import Kendric Davis over bitter split, shock move to Sydney Kings