NBL free agency 2023: All the latest news and whispers around off-season player movement

Adelaide sacked troubled import Craig Randall II after just six appearances. New import Jamaal Franklin is a scoring machine who also had a premature break from his previous club.

A season removed from recruiting, then cutting the disruptive Craig Randall II after he appeared in just six games, Adelaide 36ers have signed an import who was sacked by his former club on the eve of its playoff campaign.

But the Sixers are satisfied 32-year-old American guard Jamaal Franklin’s March axing by Philippines’ club Converge FiberXers was an isolated incident.

Reports out of the Philippines suggest Franklin clashed with PBA referees and officials and took umbrage at requests from coaches to be more inclusive on offence.

But 36ers boss Nic Barbato and coach CJ Bruton said the club had addressed the situation with Franklin and were “comfortable” in the belief his relationships with Bruton and new assistant Craig Simpson would ensure a smooth transition.

“Craig obviously coached him in China and has been in contact with him, and CJ had him at a Summer League, so it’s not an unknown quantity for us,” Barbato told Code Sports.

Jamaal Franklin has been a scoring machine in China and the Philippines for several years. Picture: VCG/Getty Images

“To have a long career in China, you have to be of a certain character and have a certain discipline about you.

“I think there’s always two sides to the story. You’re looking at one isolated incident but if you look at the body of work for his career, it’s been fine.”

Franklin, after exploding for 57 points on 36 attempts in a March PBA game, was reportedly asked by coaches to pass the ball more. He took the instruction literally, attempting just five shots for four points in his next outing and was consequently told his services were no longer required. The month before, the Californian was reportedly slapped with an AU$800 fine for a confrontation with game officials.

The Sixers, during last season’s free agency period, were warned not to sign Ohio native Randall, who had behavioural issues in the G League, but took a chance on his undeniable talent in the hope they could manage his off-court volatility.

Craig Randall was cut by Adelaide after six appearances. Picture: Getty Images

The issues between club and player were widely publicised and further revealed in an episode of NBL documentary UNRIVALLED. Randall was sacked after a period Bruton, at the time, labelled a “debacle”.

Franklin, a San Diego State University product, has produced some other-worldly performances in the Chinese Basketball Association, including a 60-point triple double and a 40-point quadruple-double. In the PBA, he averaged 34 points, 10.9 rebounds and 7 assists with Converge.

In his explosive new 196cm scoring guard, who was the 41st pick in the 2013 NBA draft and played 24 games with Memphis and Denver, Bruton believes he’s found a perfect fit.

“It was our focus to recruit people who want to be here and want to help change the culture,” Bruton told Code Sports.

“Where he’s at in his career, he could have easily gone back to China, where he could make three times as much money.

“He’s never played in Australia. It’s an intriguing opportunity for Jamaal to help change the culture of our club and for his own personal growth and development.

“If you’ve played in China and you’ve played in the Philippines, each culture’s different. While you have different coaches and play at different organisations there’s always going to be struggles and highs and lows. We give him the benefit of the doubt.

“He’s shown that he can adapt, play elite basketball, help and carry teams. Losing Antonius Cleveland and Robert Franks, we lost the two top scorers in this group, so, to find scoring was key.”

The Sixers are set to unveil Trey Kell in the coming days. Picture: Getty Images

The Sixers are set to complete their main 11-man roster with the impending additions of Franklin’s fellow SDSU alum Trey Kell, who appeared in 24 games for South East Melbourne last season, averaging 12.5 points, and Kiwi big man Tohi Smith-Milner. Barbato said the Sixers were still open to signing a Next Star for NBL24.

ADELAIDE’S NBL24 ROSTER

RETURNING: Kyrin Galloway, Mitch McCarron, Nick Marshall (DP upgrade), Sunday Dech

NEW: Isaac Humphries, Alex Starling, Jacob Wiley (import), Jason Cadee, Jamaal Franklin (import), Tohi Smith-Milner* (to be officially announced), Trey Kell* (import, to be officially announced)

DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS: Akech Aliir, Fraser Roxburgh, Harvey White, Keanu Rasmussen

Kiwi veteran Rob Loe put his retirement plans on hold to answer Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman's SOS.

LOE DOWN: HOW UNITED CONVINCED KIWI TO PAUSE RETIREMENT

Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Kiwi beast Rob Loe called time on his career at the end of NBL23 but retirement hasn’t lasted long, the giant answering an SOS from Melbourne United.

Just 31, the big centre with a sweet shooting stroke still had plenty to give after he helped the New Zealand Breakers make it all the way to the NBL23 grand final.

But a desire to leave the road behind and spend more time with his growing family led to Loe’s decision, on June 7, to quit the pro game — the father of 2-year-old Archer is expecting a second bundle of joy with wife Kelley in the coming months.

Less than two months later, retirement’s now on hold, thanks to the efforts of former Breakers mentor Dean Vickerman’s enticing Loe into a United jersey as cover for injured star Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.

The South Sudan tower, earlier this month, had surgery on a wrecked wrist that will keep him out until at least late November and, with Next Star Ariel Hukporti still on the road back from an Achilles rupture, Vickerman knew he needed a big boy to help fortify the frontline.

At 211cm and 111kgs, Loe fit the profile but said it was initially a hard sell.

“Dean gave me a call right when he found out Jo would be out but I gave him push back,” Loe said.

“We go back to my high school days when I was with the Breakers’ academy working out with the boys whenever I wasn’t at school.

“But he called me up again and yeah, it’s happening.

“Dean’s one of the best coaches in the league and an opportunity to play for him is pretty special.

“So retirement’s postponed — briefly.

Star United big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr faces a long stint on the sidelines with a wrist injury. Picture: Getty Images

“The talent on the team is pretty exceptional and hopefully I can fill in those big shoes that Jo’s injury has left.”

It’s the second year in a row United has convinced a veteran to cut his retirement short after stalwart David Barlow retired, then returned to fill the last roster spot at the beginning of NBL23. With Barlow joining United’s coaching ranks, the club’s turned to Loe — for now.

Loe was a monster in the recently completed NZNBL season, winning the MVP on the back of 19.6 points, a league-leading 11.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 blocks (second), while shooting the three ball at 40 per cent.

While he’s never been a dominant NBL force, Loe will provide a crucial foil for Hukporti, softening the blow of JLA’s absence.

The unselfish role player with solid big-man passing ability and deadly deep shooting owns career averages of 6.8 points and 4 rebounds across 172 NBL games.

He has a strong connection with fellow countrymen Shea Ili and rookie guard Flynn Cameron at United.

Kiwi Shea Ili is a familiar face at United for fellow Tall Black Rob Loe. Picture: Getty Images

Kiwi kid Flynn Cameron has made a big impression since landing at United. Picture: Melbourne United Media

“The more Kiwis, the better,” he said.

“I’ve played with Shea for a long time now and we’ve got a really good relationship, so any chance I get to put on the same jersey as him is pretty cool,” Loe said.

“I’ve done a couple of Tall Blacks windows with Flynn and I’ve seen him grow up being around (father and NZ hoops legend) Pero (Cameron).

“Flynn’s a special talent and hopefully he takes a step up in the professional game. He’s got that typical Kiwi mindset, he’s hard-nosed and he will do anything to get the job done.”

United still has one local spot to fill, is there a chance the club keeps it open and Loe slides over once Lual-Acuil Jr is back to full health?

“Nah, just for a couple of months now, mate, then I’m calling it,” Loe, who is set to launch a new business in the coming months that will connect professional athletes, said.

“That’s the plan and I’m sticking with it.”

We’ll see if Vickerman can twist his arm again, with United still to fill two open roster spots — the aforementioned local and an import.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman has turned his attention to securing a gun import to help complete his roster. Picture: Melbourne United Media

It’s understood he wants a scoring, two-way international wing who will likely come off the bench but finish games when the pressure is on.

“I don’t think we’d say we’re locked into a guy right now but we’ve enjoyed some of the interviews that we’ve had so far,” Vickerman said of the potential import.

“Patience has been something that’s been important to us and we’re still seeing guys weighing up what they’re going to do — ‘am I going to an NBA training camp, what’s the situation like in Europe like right now?’

“There are a number of guys we were talking to who haven’t got to their decisions so hopefully one of them correlates with our signing date.”

Two of last season's three SEM imports will wear Phoenix colours again in NBL24.

PHOENIX SET TO LOCK IN KEY PIECE OF NBL24 IMPORT PUZZLE

The NBL’s leading assist man is set to return to South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Code Sports can reveal Puerto Rican point guard Gary Browne, as soon as today, will put pen to paper on a new one-year deal that will bring him back to the Heartland for NBL24.

Both club and player have long had mutual interest in reuniting this season and, it’s understood, as free agency unfolded, it became increasingly clear to both parties they had a basketball match made in heaven.

Code Sports has been told the Phoenix believe the smooth-moving 185cm guard fits the mould of the defensive identity new coach Mike Kelly is trying to instil in his roster, with free agency acquisitions Matt Kenyon and Gorjok Gak each coming off conference Defensive Player of the Year awards in the second tier NBL1 competition.

Gary Browne is running it back in the Heartland. Picture: Getty Images

The 30-year-old import had a delayed start to NBL23 after a knee injury at the warm up Blitz in Darwin and battled a mid-season calf complaint but, when up and running, he was one of the best playmakers in the league, pacing all passers with 6.5 assists per game. Browne averaged 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals and the Phoenix, who finished fifth but were beaten in the play-in game by Perth, struggled in his absence, losing seven of the nine games he watched from the sidelines.

Browne’s built strong relationships with team pillars Mitch Creek and Alan Williams and the Phoenix believe that continuity and chemistry bodes well for NBL24.

Big Sauce’s fluency in Browne’s native Spanish instantly connected the pair, while he and Creek spent the NBL off-season together in the Puerto Rican BSN, their bromance continuing to blossom as they led Mets de Guaynabo to game seven of the league’s semi-finals.

Browne and star teammate Mitch Creek have strong chemistry. Picture: Getty Images

With Ryan Broekhoff hanging up the kicks, It leaves the Phoenix with two main roster spots to fill, one import and one local, with elite shooting now a must from the third import. The Phoenix would like that import wing to be a plus defender with an ability to initiate the offence at times and get their own bucket.

American guard Trey Kell is still available and has previously expressed a desire to return after admitting he struggled to reach his full potential in his debut season Down Under. But it’s understood he has also attracted interest in Europe and the Phoenix are set to take their time exploring the market, with NBA training camp deals beginning to drop.

The Phoenix would sign a Next Star, should the right player become available, although some talent watchers believe the international market has become increasingly thin, making that task difficult.

Originally published as NBL free agency 2023: All the latest news and whispers around off-season player movement