NBL 2023: League locks in salary cap increase, Patty Mills soars in jersey sales

The NBA’s most popular jersey figures in Australia have been released, with one Aussie star proving more popular than the biggest names in the NBA. Get the latest in the Logue Down.

The NBL has secured players at least a four per cent pay increase under a new collective bargaining agreement, opening the door for clubs to re-sign stars and lure big-name players. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

The NBL has secured players at least a four per cent pay increase under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, opening the door for clubs to re-sign stars and lure big-name players.

Under a new CBA, which was signed off on at last week’s awards night, NBL players will receive between a four and seven per cent pay rise every season.

It means this season’s salary cap, set at $1.7 million, could increase to a maximum of $1.82 million next season.

This would be an extra $119,000 across the 10-team league.

However, the NBL salary cap for 2023/2024 won’t be finalised until after the championship series once all the total player payments, including bonuses, are tallied.

Regardless, NBL players are guaranteed to receive more money in a win for the booming Australian domestic league.

The salary cap has risen every year under Larry Kestelman’s reign as league boss since 2015.

It comes as a host of marquee players are in the mix to return to the NBL next season, including bronze-medal winning Boomers big man Duop Reath.

Reath, who played under Brian Goorjian at the Illawarra Hawks last season, is currently playing in China with the Qingdao Eagles.

Former Illawarra Hawk Duop Reath is playing in China, but is attracting NBL interest. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

The Hawks have publicly expressed a desire in bringing him back to Australia while he has also sparked the interest of other NBL clubs.

Reath is on big money in China, so it will be a challenge for an NBL club to secure his signature.

It’s the same situation with former Perth players Nick Kay, Vic Law and John Mooney – who are all on decent wages in Japan.

Wildcats GM of Basketball Danny Mills confirmed the club has held conversations with Kay’s management about a potential return to the NBL.

“If he (Nick) wants to be a Perth Wildcat again – we’re 100 per cent (interested),” Mills said about Kay, who won a bronze medal with Australia in Tokyo and will captain the Boomers in this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Kazakhstan.

“I would say there has been a lot of discussions, in terms of reaching out to representation, but again he is in Japan, he is under contract and he makes a very good salary over there.”

Former Perth Wildcat and Boomers star Nick Kay would be a big signing for any NBL club. Picture: AAP Image/James Gourley.

Mills believes the NBL as a league has suffered after losing a raft of stars from last season, including Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White (NBA), Jo Lual-Acuil (China) and Sydney Kings championship-winning pair Jaylen Adams and Jarell Martin.

“But it’s difficult because the league has financial constraints – we have a salary cap,” he said.

“Most other leagues around the world don’t have a (cap), so these guys if they can go and make generational wealth for their families for the next three or four years, you can’t blame them for doing it.”

Despite the challenges of competing with the big dollars on offer overseas, clubs are becoming increasingly interested in securing marquee players in a bid to increase the value of their respective franchises.

GAZE HIGH ON MCDOWELL-WHITE FOR BOOMERS:

Australia’s greatest Boomer Andrew Gaze believes William McDowell-White has emerged as a serious bolter for this year’s World Cup squad.

The son of former AFL star Darryl McDowell-White is firmly on the Boomers’ radar following a standout season with the New Zealand Breakers.

McDowell-White has averaged 10.59 points, 5.11 rebounds and 6.19 assists to lead the Breakers to the semi-finals after finishing last in NBL22.

Gaze insists the guard’s form can’t be ignored when it comes to Australian selection.

“He is definitely in the mix,” Gaze said about McDowell-White’s Boomers aspirations.

“He is highly regarded, and I think he has only enhanced his reputation this year at the Breakers.

“He has good size, good composure under pressure and he can shoot it.

“When you look at the Boomers squad and the way in which William distributes the ball and he isn’t a score first type of guy.

“He doesn’t look explosively athletic, but he is really good defensively and he has got a high basketball IQ.”

Will McDowell-White has been sensational for the New Zealand Breakers this season. Photo: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images.

Gaze concedes McDowell-White wouldn’t make his full-strength Boomers team for this year’s World Cup.

He has the likes of Patty Mills and Josh Giddey ahead in the guard pecking order, but injuries and other commitments could intervene.

“So, William is certainly right there knocking on the door,” he said.

“And when you think of the future as this generation passes through, he is in that age bracket where if he continues this path, you wouldn’t want to be backing against him being an Olympian at some stage.

“He is going really well.”

MILLS MANIA DESPITE NETS DRAMA:

Boomers fan favourite Patty Mills is more popular in Australia than LaMelo Ball, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant based on singlet sales.

Mills came in at No. 6 in the NBA’s most popular jersey list in Australia, based on sales from NBAStore.com.au.

The Canberra-born guard remains hugely liked Down Under, even amid a drama-filled season at his Brooklyn Nets.

Mills has been in and out of the Nets’ rotation while the franchise has experienced significant change following trades for superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

Boomers and NBA star Patty Mills is loved in Australia. Picture: Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Mike Stobe / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP.

Still, Mills is much-loved in Australia to appear in the top 10 singlet sales for the second consecutive season.

Surprisingly, Josh Giddey didn’t feature in the most popular singlets in Australia despite starring for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season.

Giddey has taken his game to another level in his second NBA campaign, averaging 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 3) and Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant (No. 5) earned their highest ranking yet on the most popular jersey list.

Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan (No. 8) makes his debut on the top-selling jerseys list.

Top selling NBA singlets in Australia:

1: Stephen Curry

2: LeBron James

3: Giannis Antetokounmpo

4: Jayson Tatum

5: Ja Morant

6: Patty Mills

7: Kevin Durant

8: DeMar DeRozan

9: Luka Doncic

10: LaMelo Ball

🇦🇺 @Patty_Mills is the lone Aussie to feature in the top 10 highest selling jerseys.https://t.co/diX6chS3tH

— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) February 14, 2023

Top selling clubs:

1: Golden State Warriors

2: Los Angeles Lakers

3: Brooklyn Nets

4: Boston Celtics

5: Chicago Bulls

NBL SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE:

Thursday:

Game 2: Tasmania JackJumpers vs. New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena from 7.30pm (AEDT)

Friday:

Game 2: Cairns Taipans vs Sydney Kings at Cairns Convection Centre from 7.30pm (AEDT)

Sunday:

Game 3: (if required) Sydney Kings vs Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena from 2pm (AEDT)

Game 3: (if required) New Zealand Breakers vs Tasmania JackJumpers at Spark Arena from 4pm (AEDT)

CROSSCOURT: FANS TURN BACKS ON NBL FINALS SCHEDULE

—Matt Logue & Michael Randall

South East Melbourne’s debut home final ended in heartbreak but that wasn’t the only disappointment.

It’s understood the Phoenix were none-too-pleased with the game’s awkward scheduling, which discouraged some fans from attending.

The clash with the Wildcats was watched by a tick over 5000 people inside the 10,300-seat John Cain Arena, with a 6.30pm tip-off to cater for a second game later that night in Cairns.

Crosscourt has been told the timeslot can be a bit of a no man’s land, with corporates still on work time and unlikely to sit down for a meal at a pre-game function at 5.30pm. Many Phoenix supporters live half an hour or more away from JCA, leaving them pushed for time to make it home from work and get the kids into the city. A two-and-a-half day window for ticket sales was also a factor.

The crowd was a touch thin for the Phoenix’s first home NBL postseason game. Picture: Getty Images

It wasn’t perfect for the Taipans, either. Four of the previous five Cairns Convention Centre crowds had topped 4000, with the popular New Year’s Eve match up with Adelaide falling just short of 5000. But only 3670 fans showed out Thursday night, a figure exceeded eight times in the regular season.

The league was in a rock and a hard place, with two days required for any potential travel and recovery between the two play-in games and Sunday’s elimination final.

The FIBA break between February 20-28 was also a factor as the league pauses to allow players to be available for international duties. There were initial fears only two games of each semi final series would be squeezed in before the break. That would have meant if one or both contests were tied at 1-1, the decider would have been played after the eight-day break.

But the jam-packed early schedule has paved the way for both games to go ahead on February 19, if required.

The league weighed up competitive advantage and venue availability in its scheduling.

BOOMER BATTLE: WHO WANTS TO PLAY IN AUSSIE DEAD RUBBERS?

The Australian Boomers are battling for playing numbers ahead of this month’s final World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Kazakhstan.

The Boomers have already qualified for this year’s World Cup but have two remaining games in the Victorian suburb of Wantirna on February 23 and 26.

At present, the Australians only have nine players available after a host of NBL stars withdrew due to finals commitments or taking up contracts with other clubs in the off-season.

Crosscourt can reveal Illawarra Hawks forward Sam Froling has signed in Japan and won’t be available for the Boomers.

Froling’s off-season move comes as Sydney Kings star Dejan Vasiljevic opted to put the Kings’ quest for consecutive championships before the Boomers.

Vasiljevic committed to Australia’s final two World Cup qualifiers, but reconsidered after speaking to club officials.

The Boomers are struggling to get quality players to commit to their February dead rubbers.

It leaves the Boomers searching for more players to finalise its squad, just two weeks out from the two World Cup fixtures.

Basketball Australia officials understand the difficulties of securing players when the Boomers have already qualified for this year’s World Cup — especially in the middle of the NBL finals — but are determined to field the strongest side possible.

Former Perth Wildcats forward Nick Kay will return from playing in the Japanese league to captain the side.

Kay will be flanked by experienced campaigners, including the reliable Mitch McCarron and bronze-medal winning guard Nathan Sobey.

It’s understood fellow bronze medallist and Melbourne United star Chris Goulding could also don the green and gold in the World Cup qualifiers.

The rest of the squad will include rising stars like NBA Global Academy product Alex Toohey and seven-foot sensation Rocco Zikarsky.

Toohey, who made his Boomers debut in a qualifier as a 17-year-old, is expected to be given every chance to showcase his skills.

The now 18-year-old officially committed to US college powerhouse Gonzaga University last November.

The 2023 men’s World Cup will be held in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10.

BULLETS CHANGES?

The Brisbane Bullets have locked in a new coach in Justin Schueller for NBL24, but there could be movement in the front office.

Crosscourt column has been told there is no guarantee that the current leadership structure will remain as is, heading into next season.

Murmurs of the power struggle between general manager of basketball Sam Mackinnon, chief executive Peter McLennan and the team’s remote owners, won’t go away.

It comes as Mackinnon posted what could be described as a cryptic message on social media over the weekend.

“Life constantly challenges you,” Mackinnon said.

“Whether it be personally or professionally, surround yourself with people who are real.

“You can’t control everything that comes your way, but you can smile because tomorrows another day.”

Brisbane Bullets basketball boss Sam Mackinnon's Facebook post.

It’s understood Mackinnon’s post was multi-layered and not just about the Bullets, but the drums of change are beating.

Brisbane has an almost clean slate, with just two contracted players for next season — Nathan Sobey and Aron Baynes — and, while the budget for new players is yet to be set, Schueller is keen to see DJ Mitchell take up his option and the improving Tanner Krebs return.

JET-SETTING JEREMY

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger is off on his annual NBA All-Star Weekend sojourn with a jam-packed agenda to push the Australian league’s wares in the US.

Loeliger has a number of meetings with NBA teams lined up to scope out potential pre-season clashes with NBL clubs. No doubt, there would be some nerves from the other side after Adelaide 36ers made history — and embarrassed — the Phoenix Suns last year.

He’ll outline to the clubs why it’s important scouts continue to come to Australia to watch young talent and see participants in the league’s Next Stars program. Not that they need too much reminding — staff from 19 NBA teams recently attended a game involving New Zealand’s French Next Star Rayan Rupert.

NBL boss Jeremy Loeliger has hit the hustings in the US. Picture: Getty Images/NBL

The NBL through Loeliger and owner Larry Kestelman has worked hard to develop linkages with the NBA, with the potential for the US league to buy into the Australian competition.

Loeliger wants to eschew the virtues of the NBL to the US audience and engage with Australian companies based in the states to make them aware of the growth in interest in the league outside the country

He’ll also do the rounds of young players, parents and agents in a bid to encourage them to take advantage of the league’s Next Stars program.

KING TORN ON PLAY-IN TOURNAMENT

The NBL’s play-in tournament has received widespread backing, but Sydney Kings guard Angus Glover can’t help but feel torn about the new finals format.

Glover understands the excitement around the play-in tournament, which has extended the original top four to six teams.

The top six wasn’t locked in until the final regular-season game between Perth and Sydney — with the Wildcats edging out United by one basket.

Glover believes four teams battling it out in a play-in tournament to qualify for the semi-finals is positive for the game, but concedes it’s difficult for the top-ranked team to wait around an extra week to play.

“I guess sitting in first, I’m going to say no, I don’t like the play-in tournament, but if I was sitting fifth or sixth I probably wouldn’t be complaining,” Glover said.

Angus Glover is undecided on the new NBL finals structure. Picture: Getty Images

“At the end of the day, though, I think it (the play-in) is great for fans of the NBL and great for fans of those teams.

“It just makes the season even more intense and fun. The finals didn’t get sorted until literally the last shot of the final regular season game.

“When you are sitting in first you want to play sooner rather than later, but at the same time I think it’s great to have more teams in the finals and extend it a little bit more.”

Glover’s Kings are favourites to claim consecutive championships, but the guard isn’t taking anything for granted.

He knows any team can beat Sydney, especially if they don’t turn up with the right mindset.

“The NBL has gone to another level this season,” he said.

“If you take a night off, it isn’t going to look good for you on the score sheet.

“Just to see this league grow from me being a kid and fan to where it is now, it has grown every year.

“It’s just great to see basketball in Australia doing so well.”

FREE AGENCY RAMPS UP

The NBL’s off-court battle is set to intensify in the coming weeks when a host of the league’s biggest names hit the open market.

Almost 50 players are off-contract at season’s end, opening the door for a frantic free agency period.

The likes of Keanu Pinder, DJ Hogg (Taipans), William McDowell-White (Breakers) and Xavier Rathan-Mayes (United) are all looking to secure new deals.

McDowell-White’s next move is particularly interesting.

Rayjon Tucker quickly became a fan favourite in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The rising Boomers guard has enjoyed a stellar season with the second-placed New Zealand Breakers, averaging 10.5 points, 5.08 rebounds and 6.15 assists.

McDowell-White is highly regarded, so the Breakers could have a fight on its hands to retain the gifted 24-year-old guard.

The Phoenix are keen to bring former Boomer and NBA man Ryan Broekhoff back next season.

Melbourne United import guard Rayjon Tucker is also off-contract, and it remains uncertain if he’ll return for NBL24.

Tucker, who is returning to America in the off-season, posted on social media over the weekend, saying: “Thank you Australia”.

It’s understood United are considering bringing the athletic guard back again next season, although he could attract big offers from overseas clubs.

Originally published as NBL 2023: League locks in salary cap increase, Patty Mills soars in jersey sales