NBL free agency 2024: Every club’s roster and contract rumours and whispers
Adelaide’s off-season roster rebuild is complete with the arrival of a former NBL champion giving the City of Churches its most talented outfit in years. NBL FREE AGENCY
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Adelaide 36ers have completed their roster rebuild with the signing of former NBA big man and 2022 NBL champion Jarell Martin.
Code Sports has been told the 208cm powerhouse has agreed to terms, linking up with former Sydney teammate Dejan Vasiljevic, two seasons removed from helping the Kings break a 17-year title drought alongside the sharpshooter.
Sources said Martin has inked a one-year deal with the club.
Martin, 30, played 59 games across two seasons with the Kings, averaging 16.8 points and 7.7 rebounds, and the Sixers will hope he is the final piece to a roster puzzle that can finally end a six-year playoff drought.
Adelaide was considering both Martin and former New Zealand Breaker Zylan Cheatham for their last roster spot but, when the latter signed in Japan, the decision became crystal clear.
The Sixers will rollout an NBL25 starting line-up featuring Martin alongside premier Australian centre Isaac Humphries, with a fire breathing back-court combination of Dejan Vasiljevic and new import Kendric Davis, making it one of the most-potent combinations in the league.
A genuine inside-outside threat, Martin is a load down low, shooting better than 50 per cent from the field in the NBL, while making nearly 40 per cent of his three-point attempts. He can shift up to the five spot, giving Humphries some much-needed support and the club some injury insurance.
The Baton Rouge native will arrive in the City of Churches with his own injury question mark. He has not played a competitive game since December after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during his time in Turkey.
It’s understood he has made a full recovery, is already back on court and is expected to be fit for the NBL season. Even if he is not quite the player he was in Sydney after the injury, the Sixers’ faithful have genuine cause for optimism under club legend Scott Ninnis who, on paper, now has an arsenal of elite talent at his disposal not seen in Adelaide since the 2017-18 grand final run.
Martin, the 25th pick in the 2015 NBA draft, appeared in 184 NBA games across four seasons, the first three with Memphis Grizzlies and the last in Orlando.
He led Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv to the league and cup double in 2022-23 before joining Galatasaray in Turkey, where he appeared in 10 games before injury struck.
A proven big-game performer, In the 2022 grand final decider, Martin destroyed New Zealand, pouring in 22 points and ripping down 17 rebounds as the Kings completed their 3-0 sweep.
ADELAIDE ROSTER
LIKELY STARTING FIVE
C — Isaac Humphries
PF — Jarell Martin
SF — Sunday Dech/Lat Mayen
SG — Dejan Vasiljevic
PG — Kendric Davis
ROTATION/BENCH
Sunday Dech/Lat Mayen
Nick Marshall
Jason Cadee
Ben Griscti
Alex Starling
Jacob Rigoni
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Catch up on all the big signing and player movement news in NBL free agency below.
See every player currently contracted at your NBL club, the whispers on who is on the way in and out and confirmation of every signing as it happens.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
Coach: Scott Ninnis
Last season: Ninth
Roster spots left: 1 + Next Star
Contracted players: Dejan Vasiljevic, Isaac Humphries, Jason Cadee, Sunday Dech, Nick Marshall, Lat Mayen, Alex Starling, Jacob Rigoni, Ben Griscti, Kendric Davis (import)
Lowdown: Signed speedy guard Kendric Davis to a one-year deal while in Vegas for NBA Summer League. Adelaide acted swiftly on its roster and locked in a swag of local talent, built around elite Aussies Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic. Kicked the tyres on former Phoenix Suns first-round NBA draft pick Tyler Ennis before he signed in Italy. Will go down the two-import route, with a power forward who can slide across to the five — likely to be either Jarell Martin or Zylan Cheatham — the target. Code Sports understands the club has little interest in a Next Star.
BRISBANE BULLETS
Coach: Justin Schueller
Last season: Seventh
Roster spots left: Complete
Contracted players: Josh Bannan, Sam McDaniel, Rocco Zikarsky (Next Star), Tyrell Harrison, Isaac White, Mitch Norton, Casey Prather (import), Deng Adel, Tohi Smith-Milner, Keandre Cook (import), Kye Savage (DP), Josh Kunen (DP), Tristan Devers (DP), Jarred Bairstow, James Batemon (import)
Lowdown: Bought out Smith and parted ways with Scott, completing their roster with Keandre Cook, an athletic wing who is regarded as a high-level shooter and impact scorer, and point guard James Batemon. Closes door on Baynes gaining a main roster spot.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
Coach: Adam Forde
Last season: Eighth
Roster spots left: Main roster complete + Next Star
Contracted players: Taran Armstrong, Akoldah Gak, Sam Waardenburg, Jackson Makoi, Jonah Antonio, Kyrin Galloway, Dillon Stith, Tanner Groves (import), Rob Edwards (import), Kyle Adnam, Kody Stattman (DP), Alex Higgins-Titsha (DP), Pedro Bradshaw (import)
Lowdown: Restarted again with Bul Kuol departing for Sydney and all three imports out. Have replaced them with three new overseas arrivals, the latest in Pedro Bradshaw, a 201cm wing out of the US. Added veteran security in championship point guard Kyle Adnam and could opt for a Next Star to replace new Detroit Piston Bobi Klintman.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
Coach: Justin Tatum
Last season: Fourth (Lost in semi final)
Roster spots left: 1 + Next Star
Contracted players: Todd Blanchfield, Sam Froling, Dan Grida, Lachlan Olbrich, Mason Peatling, Hyunjung Lee (SRP), William Hickey, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Tyler Harvey (import), Luca Yates (DP), Trey Kell (import)
Lowdown: As revealed by Code Sports, star guard Tyler Harvey has re-signed with the Hawks on a multi-year deal which will become an even bigger boon, if and when he becomes an Australian citizen around the end of next year. Early confidence his partner in crime Gary Clark was expected to follow suit and re-ink with the Hawks diminished when he was snapped up by the Phoenix Suns’ new G League affiliate in the recent expansion draft. Import point guard Justin Robinson said his farewells to the ‘Gong and he’s been replaced by productive San Diego-born import Trey Kell. If Clark is out, it’s a significant blow, with the Hawks needing to replace him with a high-level player at the four.
MELBOURNE UNITED
Coach: Dean Vickerman
Last season: Second (Lost Grand Final)
Roster spots left: 1 + Next Star
Contracted players: Kyle Bowen, Ian Clark (import), Flynn Cameron, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs, Luke Travers, Rob Loe, Tom Koppens (DP), Jack White, Campbell Blogg (DP), Akech Aliir (DP)
Lowdown: Jack White is on his way home for next season and Ian Clark will also return. Searching for a gun big man to fill the giant void left by the departures of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti. Prodigious young forward Luke Travers is set to be in the NBA next season in some capacity, with a two-way deal in Cleveland likely. The Cavs have monitored their 2022 second-round draft pick closely and view the 22-year-old’s development positively. Unlikely to go down the Next Star path and will be patient with their last local, once Travers is sorted.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Coach: Petteri Koponen
Last season: Fifth (Lost play-in game)
Roster spots left: 2 + Next Star
Contracted players: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (import), Sam Menenga, Dane Pineau, Mojave King, Jonah Bolden, Mitch McCarron, Grant Anticevich, Max Darling (DP), Carlin Davison (DP), Alex McNaught (DP), Sean Bairstow, Freddie Gillespie (import)
Lowdown: Started from almost scratch, the Breakers struck the first major blow of free agency when they lured All-NBL first teamer and MVP finalist Parker Jackson-Cartwright back for a second season in Auckland. Some solid signings early doors, including Mitch McCarron from Adelaide, Sydney Kings big Jonah Boldenand former Next Star Mojave King, were tempered with the departure of coach Mody Maor. With Finn Delany headed to Japan, the Breakers signed a pair of young Aussies and then nabbed athletic former Orlando big man Freddie Gillespie. One more import to come, likely a wing, and have been mentioned in discussions about Mexican potential Next Star Karim Lopez.
PERTH WILDCATS
Coach: John Rillie
Last season: Third (Lost in semi finals)
Roster spots left: 1
Contracted players: Bryce Cotton (import), David Okwera, Tai Webster, Michael Harris, Keanu Pinder, Hyrum Harris, Ben Henshall, Kristian Doolittle (import), Jesse Wagstaff, Elijah Pepper, Dontae Russo-Nance (DP), Izan Almansa (Next Star)
Lowdown: Sarr franked his season as a Next Star by going at No.2 in the NBA draft and was quickly replaced by another highly-rated young gun in Spain’s Izan Almansa. Snagged the prized signature of returning college talent Elijah Pepper, captain Jesse Wagstaff re-signed for a 16th NBL season and sturdy import forward Kristian Doolittle locked in early for NBL25. Import Usher won’t be back and the Wildcats have parted ways with both Corey Webster and Kyle Zunic. Eight locals, two imports and a Next Star are locked in, so the Wildcats just need an overseas talent to round out the roster.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Coach: Mike Kelly
Last season: Last (10th)
Roster spots left: Roster complete
Contracted players: Owen Foxwell, Matt Kenyon, Ben Ayre, Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Derrick Walton Jr (import), Luke Fennell (DP), Tom Vodanovich, Joe Wieskamp, Malique Lewis (Next Star), Matt Hurt (import)
Lowdown: Have had a huge free agency, even with the departure of their greatest player Mitch Creek, who has been replaced by American Matt Hurt. Pulled off one of the biggest signings of NBL free agency when NBL Grand Final MVP Derrick Walton Jr sought out a return to the league. He’ll run an offence featuring sharpshooting agency-mate Joe Wieskamp and former Brisbane Bullet Nathan Sobey. Kings Jordi Hunter and Angus Glover add sturdiness to the roster. And, if that wasn’t enough, have also added Next Star Malique Lewis to the list.
SYDNEY KINGS
Coach: Brian Goorjian
Last season: Sixth (Lost play-in game)
Roster spots left: 1
Contracted players: Xavier Cooks, Kouat Noi, Shaun Bruce, Makuach Maluach, Alex Toohey (Next Star), Keli Leaupepe, Izayah Le’afa, Tyler Robertson, Bul Kuol, Jason Spurgin (DP), Klairus Amir (DP), Cam Oliver (import), Jaylen Adams (import), Henry Lau (DP)
Lowdown: Reloading under Brian Goorjian with a host of homegrown stars, headlined by NBL23 MVP and two-time champion Xavier Cooks’ and highly-coveted Cairns wing Bul Kuol. Will be interesting to see how Cooks responds to being left off the Paris team by Goorjian, who he is set to play under in the Harbour City for the next three seasons. Grabbed a trio of college returnees in Keli Leaupepe, Jason Spurgin and Tyler Robertson. Feisty Kiwi Izayah Le’Afa is another Goorj-type defensive guard. The arrival of athletic big man Cam Oliver is huge with Goorj and company going down the two-import route, they’ve managed to retain former Kings MVP and champion point guard Jaylen Adams for a third season in the NBL. The Kings are understood to be looking at local point guards to fill their final roster spot.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
Coach: Scott Roth
Last season: Third (Champions)
Roster spots left: Roster complete
Contracted players: Will Magnay, Clint Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic, Milton Doyle, Sean Macdonald, Anthony Drmic, Walter Brown (DP), Majok Deng, Gorjok Gak, Jordon Crawford, Craig Swords, Roman Siulepa (Next Star), Brody Nunn (DP), Reuben Te Rangi
Lowdown: Rocked by the news Paris Olympian Jack McVeigh will join Houston on a two-way and could be in for more pain with NBA eyes on Will Magnay. Work to do to replace grand final MVP McVeigh, but Craig Swords comes in as a highly-rated import wing, especially on the defensive end, which Scott Roth will love, and the Jackies won the race for Queensland’s teen freak Roman Siulepa as a Next Star. Former Phoenix man Reuben Te Rangi has joined the club as McVeigh’s replacement.
HURT LOCKER: EX-NBA SHARPSHOOTER REPLACES CREEK AT PHOENIX
South East Melbourne has moved quickly to lock in a high level replacement for departing club great Mitch Creek, zeroing in on a sharpshooting former Memphis Grizzlies big man as its third and final import for NBL25
After one of the worst injury runs in NBL history last campaign, the Phoenix, this time around, are getting Hurt again — but this time it’s the good kind.
Matt Hurt looms as the final elite piece to the revamped Phoenix roster that the club hopes will take it from the bottom of the table to the championship in the space of one season.
The 2023 U23 3X3 World Cup winner is the very definition of a lights out shooter — he hit the three-ball at better than 42 per cent in his two years at Duke University, alongside Melbourne United star Jack White, and kept it over 40 per cent in two seasons in the G League with Memphis Hustle.
The Minnesota native’s G League numbers last campaign were eye-popping: 20.5 points on 50 per cent shooting to go with 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, which earned the 24-year-old a call up to the Grizzlies for eight games as an injury replacement.
The 209cm big man, who represented Team USA in last year’s FIBA AmeriCup qualifiers, can mix it inside and out, looks after the ball and can initiate offence out of the high post. He’s a smart help defender who will come across and block shots and arrives as a solid rebounder in a team that has several talented carom catchers.
His commitment adds to the positional versatility the Phoenix have targeted this off-season, with the ability to shift up to the centre position to take the pressure off new arrival Jordan Hunter — each of whom are solid post players.
Fellow import Joe Wieskamp can play on the wing or at the four spot, as can teen Next Star Malique Lewis, who arrived in Melbourne over the weekend.
The roster build for the Phoenix is almost complete with just one local spot remaining.
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Originally published as NBL free agency 2024: Every club’s roster and contract rumours and whispers
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