NBL 2023: Cairns duo emerge as targets as champions Sydney Kings aim for even more success

The Sydney Kings are enjoying the spoils of back-to-back NBL titles — but they’ve also wasted little time in preparing for a historic three-peat as they begin sifting through available talent.

Back-to-back champions the Sydney Kings are already eyeing off a historic NBL three-peat, despite conceding they’re “behind” the other clubs who have been “sitting on their arses”.

It comes as the Kings could pilfer both Keanu Pinder and DJ Hogg from the Cairns team they defeated in this year‘s NBL semi-finals.

The Kings ploughed through Pinder, Hogg and the Taipans on their way to back-to-back NBL titles but that pair could be in Kings colours come NBL24 tip-off.

With the irreplaceable Xavier Cooks’ departure for the NBA, the Kings have built a war chest to throw at both Snakes, with Pinder said to be a top priority as a younger, similar talent.

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Sydney chairman and owner Paul Smith led free agency talks on Thursday with a 9am meeting at is house followed by more player conversations.

“It’s on — this is called post-season, but that is the biggest problem with going deep,” Smith said.

“You’re behind all the other clubs who have been sitting on their arse, and not playing have been spending time planning their rosters.

“But we haven’t had a chance yet — we haven’t done it properly.”

Smith is confident the Kings will retain underrated guard Angus Glover — who starred in Sydney’s Game 5 win with 12 points and nine rebounds despite suffering a bruised rib.

“We’d like to have him back — he is going to be a King for life,” he said.

Glover was humbled when told about Smith’s glowing praise, declaring he has “every desire” to remain at the Kings for an extended period.

He also is extremely confident in Sydney’s ability to make another successful reload in a bid to claim a third consecutive championship.

“It’s bloody hard to go back-to-back, let alone a three-peat, but we’ve got a good core of players and this club with the front office know how to recruit top talent here and talent that wants to improve.

“We’ve shown that we develop players right down our roster and everyone that comes in here is a high character guy.

“I’m sure they will do a great job of getting a group together to try and go for a third championship.”

Derrick Walton Jr (left) and Angus Glover with their 2022 and 2023 NBL Championship trophies. Picture: King/Getty Images

The Kings, meanwhile, are almost certain to move on from Brazilian big man Tim Soares after a disappointing showing in the grand final series and American Hogg, 26, is familiar as an ideal running mate for the athletic Pinder.

The Kings would love to have point guard Derrick Walton Jr back, but the reality is he will command more money overseas after a solid, if not spectacular season that culminated in a grand final MVP.

Justin Simon was also outstanding for the Kings and, in another universe, the American might have added Defensive Player of the Year and Grand Final MVP to his championship ring. The Kings would gladly have him back — at the right price.

The club‘s young brigade — and cast-offs from other clubs — improved significantly under Chase Buford, a mark of his profound impact on the club.

Angus Glover went to another level and exploded in the grand final series, big man Jordy Hunter sacrificed himself for the greater good, but could be a starter on half the league‘s teams, Kouat Noi was in the wilderness before he was handed a lifeline by the Kings, while Jaylin Galloway is developing into a defensive beast in his own right.

Will Weaver took the Kings to a grand final and then landed a job with the Houston Rockets in the NBA. Buford has deep connections to the NBA through his father RC Buford and his long association with San Antonio and Chase Budenholzer in Milwaukee, where he spent time as an assistant and coached the Bucks‘ G League affiliate.

It was the last game of the season, and it delivered all sorts of drama.

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He won‘t be short of job offers, but would he be interested in taking on the challenge of emulating the great Brian Goorjian and attempting to three-peat in the Harbour City?

NBL legend Derek Rucker said with great certainty, following game five, he didn‘t expect Buford to be back in the NBL next season, identifying Atlanta as a potential destination.

There‘s plenty to play out, but the Kings will move heaven and earth to keep the fiery coach who has mixed emotional outbursts with historic success in his two years in Australia.

KINGS ROSTER

Contracted: Vasiljevic, Hunter, Galloway (team option), Bruce, Noi (team option), Cooks (to NBA)

Out of contract: Glover, Soares, Walton Jr, Simon, Makoi

McDowell-White to command big dollars

As rival NBL clubs line up with godfather offers for off-contract New Zealand star William McDowell-White, the Breakers haven‘t given up hope of re-signing the gun Queensland-born point guard.

McDowell-White mixed sublime play with some struggles against the might of back-to-back champion Sydney in the grand final series, but has enhanced his earning power markedly, with one club prepared to offer him a multi-year deal starting at $500,000 per season.

Perth Wildcats, Brisbane Bullets and South East Melbourne Phoenix are among clubs to express interest in the 24-year-old, who could also have potential suitors in Europe and Asia.

William McDowell-White has already been offered a multi-year deal starting at $500,000 per season. Picture: Getty Images

But the Breakers believe they‘re a “better than even chance” of keeping him in NZ.

It’s hoped their NBL23 success, coupled with the young gun’s improvement and burgeoning relationship with coach Mody Maor will have a profound influence on McDowell-White’s decision.

They also believe it isn’t all about money for McDowell-White, who began his NBL career in Sydney.

It sets up an intriguing tug of war that is certain to involve more than the four clubs mentioned.

The Breakers will have to fight off poaching raids on Sixth Man of the Year Barry Brown Jr and All NBL Second Team big Dererk Pardon, but hopes of keeping star former NBA forward Jarrell Brantley were enhanced after his heartwarming endorsement of Maor, following their game-five loss to the Kings.

The super-strong triple threat interrupted Maor’s post-game press conference to espouse his love for the Kiwi coach.

Brantley is a family man whose brother Jamaal Brantley, this season, spent time with the Breakers as an injury replacement.

With French Next Star Rayan Rupert almost certain to follow RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng from NZ to the NBA draft, the Breakers will again attempt to sign another young prodigy with big-league prospects.

Elder statesman Tom Abercrombie, 35, is yet to decide if he will return in search of a fifth NBL title with the club, but his efforts in the grand final, especially on the defensive end, and cool head will likely leave the call in his hands, while Rob Loe is off-contract but likely to return.

BREAKERS ROSTER

Contracted: Vodanovich, Le‘Afa, Gliddon, Fotu, Rupert (Next Star)

Out of contract: Loe, Abercrombie, McDowell-White, Brantley, Pardon, Brown, Timmins

Originally published as NBL 2023: Cairns duo emerge as targets as champions Sydney Kings aim for even more success