NBL free agency tracker: Every player who has signed a new deal and what each club needs to complete their roster ahead of NBL26
The Brisbane Bullets remain interested in fostering a homecoming for star Patty Mills, while an NBL superstar makes a shock move. More NBL26 free agency news here.
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Brisbane Bullets are keen to lure Aussie NBA star Patty Mills but doubt he’ll come home to the NBL just yet amid silence from the veteran guard’s representatives.
Mills – who is a free agent – has been linked to an NBL homecoming with at least one big market team having spoken to the Aussie hoops legend.
It’s understood the Bullets connected with the legendary Boomer’s agency last year, but didn’t receive a response.
It has led to Brisbane officials feeling like luring Mills in NBL26 is unlikely at this point, but they still remain hopeful of a change of heart.
The Bullets are desperate to land a marquee point guard for next season and beyond.
In other free agency news, Bryce Cotton has sent shockwaves through the NBL free agency market by declaring he would move to the Adelaide 36ers, with the Wildcats only have themselves to blame amid claims the club botched the chance to secure the champion guard.
Former NBL champion Jo Lual-Acuil Jr is also unlikely to return to the league next season despite engaging in conversations with the Perth Wildcats.
Code Sports has learned Acuil Jr – who won a title with Melbourne United in 2021 – has previously spoken to the Wildcats about a potential homecoming.
Sydney Kings
Open roster spots: 1
Import: 1
With the bombshell signature of Kendric Davis, the Kings have had an ultra-impressive off-season and are likely to fill their last roster spot with a local big man, meaning they’ll have just the one import.
That local big man, could be Melbourne United’s Marcus Lee, but the Kings are yet to lock in a centre. Sydney CEO Chris Pongrass recently declared the club was looking to secure a big with “A six-foot-eleven big with length, size, a lob threat and rim protection”.
Makuach Maluach recently re-signed on a one-year deal. Matthew Dellavedova, Xavier Cooks and a healthy Bul Kuol should make the Kings the best defensive team in the league and Davis will provide the scoring punch.
Adelaide 36ers
Open roster spots: 2
Import: 1
Cotton will form one of the league’s most potent backcourts with Boomers sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic. The Sixers will now target a “NBA calibre” four man to stretch the floor and potentially another bench option for depth.
Brisbane Bullets
Open roster spots: 4
Import: 1
Josh Bannan a huge loss but the return of Casey Prather softens the blow. New coach Stu Lash still with big decisions to make, particularly on import guard James Batemon, who is no certainty to return.
Cairns Taipans
Open roster spots: 6
Import: 3
Free agency is always difficult without a coach and the club is to make a decision. Taipans still searching for more than half their roster, including three imports.
Illawarra Hawks
Open roster spots: 4
Import: 2
The Hawks are working hard to re-sign the bulk of its championship-winning roster. Big man Sam Froling has been locked into a three-year deal, but Trey Kell and Darius Days remain unsigned. Sharpshooting bench guard Hyunjung Lee recently announced his exit from the Hawks to pursue G League opportunities in America.
Melbourne United
Open roster spots: 5
Import: 3
Have the space for three imports but Dean Vickerman and Co always get creative. Former New Zealand Breaker Finn Delany has signed a two-year deal, while Tassie import Milton Doyle is well regarded.
New Zealand Breakers
Open roster spots: 2
Import: 2
Have a near-full roster but the Breakers are still expected to make a number of moves. Veteran guard Mitch McCarron is out, while the Tacko Fall experiment looks over under the Breakers’ new management.
Has been talk the Breakers could go with two imports, with local guard Tai Webster a potential.
Perth Wildcats
Open roster spots: 3
Import: 1
Perth faces a franchise-defining off-season following Bryce Cotton’s shock departure to the Adelaide 36ers. The Wildcats desperately need a marquee guard to replace Cotton. Local defensive dynamo Sunday Dech has returned from Adelaide and the club has locked in another former 36er in Lat Mayen. They’ve also squared away the return of imports Dylan Windler and Kristian Doolittle. Exciting young guard Ben Henshall remains a big watch, with the potential lure of NIL riches of the NCAA and the possibility of a reunion with his WA U20 Nationals’ gold medal teammate Alex Condon in Florida.
South East Melbourne Phoenix
Open roster spots: 4
Import: 3 and 1 local
The Phoenix are likely to chase three new imports with a point guard and big man the priority. Returned Nathan Sobey early, signed back-up big man Akech Aliir and secured former Bullets guard DJ Mitchell and ex-JackJumpers big man Gorjok Gak. Imports Derrick Walton Jr and Matt Hurt remain unsigned, with Hurt attracting interest from the championship-winning Hawks.
Tasmania JackJumpers
Open roster spots: 2
Local: 0
Locked in one of the best available local free agents in Josh Bannan and have squared away their local contingent. The JackJumpers recently secured dynamic NBA G League wing David Johnson on a one-year contract.
It’s understood they’d be keen on a Milton Doyle return — but half the league is keen on the talented two-guard, with Melbourne United’s Dean Vickerman a long-time fan. The JackJumpers
Diminutive guard Jordon Crawford announced his exit and mid-season replacement Ian Hummer is already out.
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Originally published as NBL free agency tracker: Every player who has signed a new deal and what each club needs to complete their roster ahead of NBL26
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