Looming exit from Phoenix for MVP candidate triggers race for his signature
Illawarra has the cash to spend, but the 36ers are still in contention for one of the most potent forwards in the NBL. More free agency news here.
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Reigning champions the Illawarra Hawks and the big spending Adelaide 36ers are in a two-horse race to secure last season’s NBL MVP candidate Matt Hurt.
CODE Sports understands the Hawks and 36ers are fighting it out for Hurt’s signature should he remain in the NBL as South East Melbourne Phoenix officials prepare for his departure.
The Hawks have cash to spend following Darius Days’ exit and the American forward would be a major boost to the club’s front-court following Sam Froling’s season-ending Achilles injury.
Illawarra remain favourites to secure Hurt, but don’t rule out Adelaide just yet though. It’s understood the 36ers still have the big man’s name on their list to fill the four-man position.
What’s clear is that there is significant money on offer to lure last season’s MVP candidate away from South East Melbourne.
The Phoenix have signed former Brisbane Bullets forward DJ Mitchell – and while he is a local – he fills the spot vacated by Hurt.
It remains to be seen whether South East Melbourne add further depth in the forward position.
Hurt – who played eight NBA games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2023/24 season – is sought after for a reason.
He averaged 19.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in NBL25 to help guide the Phoenix to a top-four finish.
Hurt was poised to sign a 10-day NBA contract with the Golden State Warriors, but knocked back the offer after SEM’s Play-In win over Adelaide.
He looked set for the NBA when the Phoenix trailed the 36ers by 21-points at halftime before the Phoenix surged home in the second half to win.
Hurt said no to the Warriors’ 10-day deal, opening the door for the deadline to pass and Cairns young gun Taran Armstrong to accept the offer.
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 back-courts 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 and the Adelaide 36ers.
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.
The JackJumpers’ diminutive guard Jordon Crawford announced his exit and mid-season replacement Ian Hummer is already out.
Originally published as Looming exit from Phoenix for MVP candidate triggers race for his signature
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