NBL SuperCoach Late Mail round 2: Trade tips from The Basketball Blokes, latest injury news

All the info you need to set up your SuperCoach NBL team for round 2 is right here, including a popular purchase being floored by illness.

Bad news for SuperCoaches with Ben Henshall in doubt to face the Kings due to illness.

The Wildcats will make a decision on the boom young gun at game time.

Henshall was already in the SuperCoach news this week following conjecture over his role alongside Elijah Pepper and Michael Harris.

Henshall is the man right now, and currently the third most popular SuperCoach buy this week given his cheapie price.

But Pepper came on at the end last week and was productive. Harris is the older and more experienced of the three and got sporadic minutes in the opener.

Their rotation likely shortens a little against the title favourites.

Relegated to a pile of ‘did not play - coach’s decision’ amid sporadic minutes last season, rising young Aussie star Henshall was understandably frustrated in Perth last season.

Ben Henshall of the Wildcats is a popular SuperCoach purchase. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

But, if game one is anything to go by, the 20-year-old looks like he’ll have a big say in how far the Wildcats go this season.

Henshall looked to be in a three-way battle with Pepper and scoring machine Harris, but his 20 minutes against South East Melbourne to Pepper’s 6 and Harris’ 4 indicate he is the one coach John Rillie will trust early.

Henshall, who has carried a knock on his defensive ability, was as solid as a rock, making good decisions, carrying a hand on close outs and forcing attackers into tough shots, while providing one of his better NBL performances at the offensive end with 10 points and 7 assists.

ROUND 2 ANALYSIS VIA BASKETBALL BLOKES

Get the latest trade tips and inside word on team selection for round 2 here.

The gurus at The Basketball Blokes have their eyes on the schedule, which will help decide team changes in SuperCoach NBL. Read their full Coaches Court article at nbl.com.au.

The Hawks, Phoenix, Kings and United will all play two games each in round 2, with United the only team of the four slated with another two games in round 3.

Importantly, players from these four clubs will receive their first price adjustment at the conclusion of round 2, with all four teams having played three games each.

Although there are some attractive options, steer clear of New Zealand Breakers, with just one game over the next three weeks, along with Brisbane, who play a string of single game rounds through until the end of round 8.

TRADE TARGETS

Jaylen Adams (GRD) SYD $392,900

Jaylen was the top scorer from round 1 and backs that up with a double-game round this week. We think he will hit his Break Even of 46 this week and should get a nice price rise post round 2.

Alex Toohey (FWD) SYD $191,900

Played plenty of minutes last game and is one of the best cash cow options in round 2.

Lachlan Olbrich (FWD) ILL $121,400

Looks to be must-own. Lachie looks to be the best cash cow options that we have this season.

Lachlan Olbrich made a flying start to the season. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Shea Ili (GRD) MEL $250,200

Melbourne United is heading into two double-game rounds in a row. Ili looks to have a great combination of point scoring and price appreciation in the thin discount guard positions.

Rob Loe (FWD/CTR) MEL $173,600

Shares the same good upcoming schedule as Ili, and while his scoring potential is slightly down on Shea, he should make us money and is borderline playable on your starting court at your forward and centre positions.

BANKSY’S CAPTAINS

Keep an eye out for Banksy’s Captains podcast, which is soon to be exclusive to subscribers at basketballblokes.com. In no particular order, here is the pool of captains candidates under consideration.

Darius Days

Jaylen Adams

Derrick Walton Jr

Xavier Cooks

Cameron Oliver

The doctor @boydie_blokes prescribes some of his expertise in Episode 2 of "The Panel" - The Official #SuperCoachNBL show📺https://t.co/7s1IknHhjg

— Basketball Blokes (@BBall_Blokes) September 25, 2024

BOYDIE’S Q&A

Question: Do we hold onto Will Hickey, Rocco Zikarsky and Angus Glover?

Answer: This early on, unless you have the luxury of a spare trade for the week (without using a boost) we say all three of these guys are still a hold with our priority being Hickey and Glover, over Rocco. This is based on schedule and Rocco’s low minutes and poor performance being a red flag from Round 1.

Question: When should we use our Trade Boosts?

Answer: You have four to use through the season, but with a couple of rounds looking like a lock for a boost, in Round 5 and Round 9, you might only be able to use the other two for emergencies. In saying that, if you were off the pace after round 1 and your team isn’t looking great, it’s never too early to use a boost to fix some major issues!

United’s Rob Loe is a value option on the double the next two rounds. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Question: Rank the most important cash cows – and do we get in Loe or Toohey?

Answer: We like Toohey over Loe, although if you need that round 3 starter, Loe might be an option with Melbourne United having a double-game round. The two most important cash cows are Olbrich and Henshall, with Olbrich changing price after this round – making him a higher priority.

FULL LATE MAIL VIA MICK RANDALL

SEM: HURT GUARD TO MISS THROWDOWN

Matt Kenyon won’t play for South East Melbourne in tonight’s Throwdown v Melbourne United. He has a lacerated foot. Luke Rosendale replaces him.

BULLETS: IS BANNAN BACK?

Josh Bannan practiced again on Friday morning and went well. He has a fitness test in the evening before the Bullets’ game against the Hawks. There’s growing optimism he could play but, if not, can just about book in Saturday week’s clash with Sydney.

UNITED: DELLY ON BABY WATCH

No injury concerns. Matthew Dellavedova is on baby watch but no updates there. He flew in a day late to Perth last week to stay with family.

JACKJUMPERS: MAGNAY AVOIDS PROTOCOLS

The Tasmanian side have a clean bill of health apart from Sean Macdonald, who is out until Christmas with an ankle injury.

Olympic big man Will Magnay has avoided concussion protocol or injury designation after he was in the wars against Melbourne United last Thursday.

Craig Swords will make his Jackies debut after recovering from concussion.

36ERS: ADELAIDE PATIENT ON IMPORT

No new injury concerns out of Adelaide and plenty of confidence after pushing the Kings in their season opener.

They have a trip to Cairns on Saturday night ahead and will remain patient with Jarell Martin, especially after Montrezl Harrell’s strong showing.

KINGS: GALLOWAY ON THE IMPROVE

Sydney Kings are staying in Perth all week ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster against the Wildcats.

Jaylin Galloway took contact on Tuesday and is getting up to speed. He has been hampered by a shoulder complaint.

HAWKS: NO CHANGES EXPECTED

Clean bill of health for Illawarra Hawks out of their win over Cairns at Hoops Fest.

They are full strength, right now, for Friday night’s home opener against the Bullets.

Originally published as NBL SuperCoach Late Mail round 2: Trade tips from The Basketball Blokes, latest injury news