NBL free agency 2024: Every club’s roster and contract rumours and whispers
NBL free agency is all but done, with just four vacant roster spots left across the entire league. Here’s every roster, which clubs are still hunting — and who they might sign.
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Just four of the 110 main roster spots available in the NBL are left to be filled as the league’s 10 teams shift their focus to preparing for pre-season clashes and the NBL Blitz, now just three weeks away.
Grand finalists Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings each have one local slot open to fill.
The Kings splashed the cash on their new roster in a bid to reload and win another championship under coach Brian Goorjian.
It’s produced an impressive recruiting off-season and sources have told Code Sports that’s about to get better with young stud Jaylin Galloway set for a return.
Cut by Milwaukee after a stint in the NBA and G League, Galloway has an existing contract with the Kings.
The 21-year-old will instantly be one of the most athletic players and best defenders in the league and would join a squad loaded with high IQ, high ability stoppers under Goorjian.
United coach Dean Vickerman has said the club would take its time with the last roster spot, hinting that it could come from the club’s list of development players.
Multiple sources have told Code Sports tall wing Malith Machar — a development player at Hoop City for the past two seasons — is firming to fill that last main roster spot.
As with last year, Perth is among the last teams to finalise their imports, with the hunt on for a wing to complete the Wildcats’ trip of overseas players with four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and versatile forward Kristian Doolittle returning.
Wildcats boss Danny Mills said the club would not be rushed into a panic signing, despite the looming season — Doolittle arrived just before the NBL24 season-opener.
“There’s multiple conversations happening right now,” Mills told Code Sports.
“I think it’s pretty clear we need a wing but it’s got to be someone who fits within the current group.
“We’ve got 90 per cent of our core returning from a team we really liked and we’ve added really good pieces including (Australian college returnee) Elijah (Pepper) and obviously (Spanish Next Star) Izaan Almansa.
“So this last piece, being the third American, we want it to be the right guy.
“We feel good about some names but it’s just like last year, we’re not going to rush just to rush.
“The season’s September 20th, in a perfect world, we had a guy down here two weeks ago, but we understand where we’re at.”
Illawarra had hoped to bring back American forward Gary Clark, but he took a big money deal in Japan, leaving a gaping hole to fill in the Hawks’ frontline.
Coach Justin Tatum arrived back in Australia this week and said, while the Hawks wanted to sign a high quality import, there’s a confidence the likes of improving young big man Lachlan Olbrich and veteran Todd Blanchfield can fill the void.
The Hawks have added former Melbourne United guard Zac Triplett as a development player.
Triplett, still 22, has been at United for three seasons, the first two as a development player and the last on the main roster.
He caught the eye in the NBL1 this off-season and his potential as an elite shooter encouraged the Hawks to ink him to a two-year deal, the second an option.
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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: Mike Wells
Last season: Ninth
Roster spots left: Main roster complete, can sign a 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), Jarell Martin (import), Fiston Ipassou (DP), Patrick D’Arcy (DP), Keanu Rasmussen (DP)
Lowdown: Some big signings and re-signings have been overshadowed by turmoil off the court with club legend Scott Ninnis axed — before coaching a game on his new two-year deal — and replacing him with American. Signed speedy guard Kendric Davis to a one-year deal while in Vegas for NBA Summer League and then inked former NBA big man Jarell Martin, who won a title in Sydney. Adelaide acted swiftly on its roster and locked in a swag of local talent, built around elite Aussies Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic. 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, Tyrell Harrison, Isaac White, Mitch Norton, Jarred Bairstow, Deng Adel, Tohi Smith-Milner, Casey Prather (import), Keandre Cook (import), James Batemon (import), Rocco Zikarsky (Next Star), Kye Savage (DP), Josh Kunen (DP), Tristan Devers (DP)
Lowdown: Bought out imports Chris Smith and Shannon 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 to run the offence. Door is closed on a return for veteran Boomers big man Aron Baynes.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
Coach: Adam Forde
Last season: Eighth
Roster spots left: Main roster complete, can sign a Next Star
Contracted players: Taran Armstrong, Akoldah Gak, Sam Waardenburg, Jackson Makoi, Jonah Antonio, Kyrin Galloway, Dillon Stith, Kyle Adnam, Tanner Groves (import), Rob Edwards (import), Pedro Bradshaw (import), Kody Stattman (DP), Alex Higgins-Titsha (DP)
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 can still 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 import, can sign 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), Trey Kell (import), Luca Yates (DP), Zac Triplett (DP)
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. Partner in crime Gary Clark is a massive loss, the gun forward has signed in Japan. Import point guard Justin Robinson said his farewells to the ‘Gong and he’s been replaced by productive San Diego-born import Trey Kell. The Hawks have some solid tall timber in Sam Froling and young gun Lachie Olbrich who dominated the NZNBL this off-season, but still need a gun import four to be a serious competitor.
MELBOURNE UNITED
Coach: Dean Vickerman
Last season: Second (Lost Grand Final)
Roster spots left: 1 local, can sign Next Star
Contracted players: Jack White, Kyle Bowen, Flynn Cameron, Matthew Dellavedova, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs Rob Loe, Marcus Lee (import), Ian Clark (import), Tom Koppens (DP), Campbell Blogg (DP), Akech Aliir (DP)
Lowdown: The search for a gun big man to fill the giant void left by the departures of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti ended with the return of Marcus Lee as Luke Travers was released to pursue NBA opportunities, which means he will eventually sign a deal of some sort with Cleveland. Jack White returns home and gun import guard Ian Clark is also back. Unlikely to go down the Next Star path and will be patient with their last local, although Malith Machar’s name has been doing the rounds as someone high on the club’s list.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
Coach: Petteri Koponen
Last season: Fifth (Lost play-in game)
Roster spots left: Main roster complete
Contracted players: Sam Menenga, Dane Pineau, Mojave King, Jonah Bolden, Mitch McCarron, Grant Anticevich, Sean Bairstow, Max Darling, Freddie Gillespie (import), Parker Jackson-Cartwright (import), Matt Moody (import), Karim Lopez (Next Star), Carlin Davison (DP), Alex McNaught (DP), Kaia Isaac (DP).
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. Sharpshooter Matt Moody joins as an import running mate for PJC in the back-court and the club has rounded out its roster with ultra-young 17-year-old Mexican Karim Lopez as a Next Star.
PERTH WILDCATS
Coach: John Rillie
Last season: Third (Lost in semi finals)
Roster spots left: 1 import
Contracted players: David Okwera, Tai Webster, Michael Harris, Keanu Pinder, Hyrum Harris, Ben Henshall, Jesse Wagstaff, Elijah Pepper, Kristian Doolittle (import), Bryce Cotton (import), 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: Main roster complete
Contracted players: Owen Foxwell, Matt Kenyon, Ben Ayre, Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Majok Majok, Tom Vodanovich, Derrick Walton Jr (import), Matt Hurt (import), Joe Wieskamp (import), Malique Lewis (Next Star), Luke Fennell (DP), Luke Rosendale (DP)
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 former Grand Final MVP Derrick Walton Jr sought out a return to the league. He’ll run an offence featuring sharpshooting agency-mate Joe Wieskamp, Hurt 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 exciting young 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, Keli Leaupepe, Izayah Le’afa, Tyler Robertson, Bul Kuol, Cam Oliver (import), Jaylen Adams (import), Alex Toohey (Next Star) Jason Spurgin (DP), Klairus Amir (DP), Henry Lau (DP)
Lowdown: Code Sports has been told the Kings will find the money to bring back Jaylin Galloway, who is a former championship player who was recently cut by Milwaukee. The young Aussie defensive dynamo will complete a loaded roster under returning coach Brian Goorjian. 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. Cooks insists there’s no bad blood between he and Goorjian but there may be some relationship repair required after the legendary coach left the former league MVP out of the Boomers’ Paris Olympic campaign. Grabbed a trio of college returnees in Keli Leaupepe, Jason Spurgin and Tyler Robertson. Feisty Kiwi Izayah Le’Afa is a Goorj-type defensive guard. The arrival of athletic big man Cam Oliver is huge with Goorj and company going down the two-import route, and they’ve managed to retain former Kings MVP and champion point guard Jaylen Adams for a third season in the NBL.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
Coach: Scott Roth
Last season: Third (Champions)
Roster spots left: Main roster complete
Contracted players: Will Magnay, Clint Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald, Anthony Drmic, Majok Deng, Gorjok Gak, Reuben Te Rangi, Jordon Crawford (import), Milton Doyle (import), Craig Swords (import), Roman Siulepa (Next Star), Brody Nunn (DP), Walter Brown (DP)
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’s production, with Kiwi favourite Reuben Te Rangi arriving in his stead and feisty import Craig Swords comes highly-rated, especially at the defensive end — which Scott Roth will love. Jackies won the race for Queensland’s teen freak Roman Siulepa as a Next Star.
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Originally published as NBL free agency 2024: Every club’s roster and contract rumours and whispers
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