NBA free agency news 2023: Xavier Cooks cut by Washington, Jack White by OKC Thunder

A week ago, 12 Australians were preparing to make their mark in the NBA this season. Now, 24 hours out from the opening games of the year, a quarter of them have lost their contracts.

Former NBL MVP Xavier Cooks has been waived by the Washington Wizards, opening the door for ex-Sydney King to potentially sign a EuroLeague deal if he fails to attract interest to remain in the NBA.

The shock moves on the eve of the NBA season continued on Tuesday when the Wizards cut Cooks.

The two-time NBL champion will still retain the $2.6 million (AUD) he was set to earn for this season, but Washington have opted to move in another direction.

The Wizards have also filled their two-way roster spots, meaning Cooks is on the lookout for a new team.

He could aim to secure another NBA deal – or sign in the EuroLeague – where he can follow in the footsteps of Boomers teammate Dante Exum and use the league as a developmental launchpad back to the NBA.

Australia's Xavier Cooks will be on the lookout for a new team. Picture: Getty

Exum excelled in Spain and Serbia, helping him to land a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

Cooks would also benefit from a European stint should he choose or fail to sign with another NBA team.

It comes just a day after fellow Boomers – Duop Reath and Jack White – were waived by Portland and Oklahoma City respectively.

Reath received good news on Tuesday, with the Trail Blazers signing him on a two-way contract to play in the G League.

WHITE, REATH AXED BY NBA TEAMS

By Matt Logue

Australian Boomers forward Jack White remains confident he’ll sign with another NBA franchise, despite being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder cut White on the eve of the new season, but Code Sports understands the ex-Melbourne United star has interest from across the NBA.

It means a return to the NBL, where the boy from Traralgon won a championship with United in 2021, is unlikely.

In four pre-season games for OKC, White averaged 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.8 minutes.

It was hoped the underrated forward would find a home at the Thunder alongside fellow Australian Josh Giddey.

Australia's Jack White dunks the ball during the World Cup. Picture: AFP

Unfortunately for White, it’s a tough assignment making a talented OKC roster that many NBA experts are tipping to one day dominate the league.

The 26-year-old, who was part of the Denver Nuggets’ championship roster last season on a two-way deal, will now search for a new NBA team.

It’s understood White has no shortage of interest from across the league – and he’ll hope to lock in a new deal as soon as possible given the new season starts on Wednesday (AEDT).

He played 17 regular season games for the Nuggets last season while he spent the rest of the season in the G League.

White is the second Australian to be waived in the last 24 hours following on from Duop Reath at the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Reath had secured a deal with the Trail Blazers after impressing at the pre-season NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

The former Illawarra Hawk averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 blocks in 19.5 minutes across five games for the Trail Blazers.

Duop Reath also suffered a cruel cut this week. Picture: Getty

Reath started at centre for the Boomers at this year’s World Cup in the absence of the injured Jock Landale.

He impressed, tallying 43 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists across five games for the Boomers. He had an 81 per cent field-goal shooting percentage, 75 per cent on 3-point shooting, and an average of 1.4 blocks per game.

Reath has been linked to a return to the NBL, however it’s unlikely he makes the move based on money alone.

The South Sudanese-born big man would have to take a significant pay cut to come home given he commanded over $1 million during stints in China and Serbia.

It’s understood Reath will look to Europe or China as his next move.

The 2023/24 NBA season tips off on Wednesday, with the Los Angeles Lakers versus the defending champion Denver Nuggets followed by the Phoenix Suns taking on the Golden State Warriors.

All the action tips off from 10.30am (AEDT).

Originally published as NBA free agency news 2023: Xavier Cooks cut by Washington, Jack White by OKC Thunder