NBL free agency: Latest new and whispers on player movement ahead of the NBL24 season

South East Melbourne is hunting for an elite import point guard to run the team in NBL24. Is that man a former NBA All Star who is as close as you can get to the Phoenix?

Could John Wall play in the NBL?

South East Melbourne is set to shoot its shot with five-time NBA All Star John Wall in the hope the former Washington Wizard would agree to play for the Phoenix in NBL24.

Sources told Code Sports Phoenix powerbrokers have added Wall, who has a minority stake in the club and close ties to majority owner Romi Chaudhary, to their list of potential recruits as they hunt an elite import point guard.

The out-of-contract 32-year-old — however unlikely — would more than fit the bill. Across 11 seasons in the NBA the lightning-quick floor general was a bona fide star, sporting career averages of nearly 19 points and nine assists.

Could John Wall play in the NBL?

The Phoenix have two stars capable of running the point among their ownership group, with Boomers’ Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Dante Exum also in the fold.

Exum had a huge European season with Partizan Belgrade although, aged just 27, the chances of him returning home are remote. But there is slightly more optimism around Wall, who sat out the 2020-21 NBA season in Houston, before appearing in 34 games with the LA Clippers last campaign.

Phoenix boss Tommy Greer did not confirm if the Phoenix planned to approach Wall about spending the NBL24 summer Down Under but said the club would not hesitate if either player was to make themselves available.

“If either Dante or John were ready to play in the NBL of course, we would do whatever we could to facilitate that,” Greer said.

The NBL does have provisions that allow for players who own shares in a franchise to play for their club, however certain conditions might be applied in order to allow it to occur.

Bronzed Boomer Dante Exum is a Phoenix co-owner. Picture: Adam Head

The Phoenix have locked away eight of their 11-man roster for NBL24, with spots left for two imports and a local. They will also entertain the addition of a Next Star, amid the youth talent program’s resurgence.

Meanwhile, South East Melbourne has confirmed an off-court move, adding a second assistant to new coach Mike Kelly’s panel.

New South East Melbourne assistant Luke Brennan.

Former Perth assistant Luke Brennan has followed his former Wildcats’ colleague to the Heartland.

Brennan, who spent the last five seasons in Perth, has signed a two-year deal.

“During my time at the Wildcats, I was lucky enough to be around guys that have won a lot of championships,” Brennan said.

“The thing that I have learnt throughout my time there is that you can’t cheat the process.

“To be successful you need to put in the work first, and it’s the little details that matter.

“If you get the ‘day-to-day’ right, then you give yourself a chance when the bright lights are on.”

Brennan joins Sam Mackinnon as Kelly’s lead assistant duo.

Originally published as NBL free agency: Latest new and whispers on player movement ahead of the NBL24 season