A Frank Exchange: Adelaide's Import Issue

The Adelaide 36ers plans of bringing in Jacob Wiley may have hit a snag, according to ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc. 

“If you see CJ Bruton around for the next few days and he looks a little bit stressed, there’s a reason why,” Uluc reported. “The signing of Jacob Wiley was supposed to come with an expectation Robert Franks would be gone from that team.

“He was supposed to sign with a European team and Jacob Wiley was going to come in and take that spot. As of now, Robert Franks is still on that roster.

“There was a deal in Europe I’m told fell through, they’re still looking for a team for him to go to – his agent is confident it will happen.”

In the event Franks did remain on the roster alongside Wiley, the 36ers would be entering the season with a pair of import power forwards – a far cry from the starting point guard role Bruton revealed he was seeking at the Summer League.

At the time of writing, the third day of the NBA’s flagship pre-season tournament is well underway, and Bruton will be hoping for news on Franks’ immediate future, sooner rather than later.

“The time’s ticking,” Uluc continued.

“Right now CJ Bruton has to know if they’re going to have Jacob Wiley, Antonius Cleveland and Robert Franks on their roster, or is he going to be able to off-load Robert Franks and sign that starting point guard he’s looking for.

“He has to know, hopefully, toward the end of Summer League so he can find that point guard.

“As of now, it’s looking a bit suspect.”

Adelaide’s NBL24 season will tip off on Friday, September 29 against Brisbane.