All Eyes on Perth's Next Move

All eyes will be on the Perth Wildcats this off-season, as John Rillie looks to build his side into a Championship contender.

The Wildcats finished NBL23 strongly to make their way into the Finals, but ultimately fell short at the Play-In stage. 

Now, an entire state watches with expectation as Perth looks to regain its mantle as one of the powerhouse teams in the competition. 

So how do they do it? NBL.com.au’s Pete Hooley believes the Wildcats should look to their main man to set the tone for what’s next. 

“You have to have those conversations with Bryce [Cotton] to say ‘what kind of players do we have to put around you to be successful?’,” Hooley said on NBL Today. 

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Cotton has put himself in the conversation as one of the greatest NBL players of all time across the past seven seasons, winning three Championships and three MVP titles along the way.

“That’s not trying to single anyone out, that’s just being smart. He’s the best player in the competition and has been since he touched down … you kind of go there and say ‘how do we succeed around you?’, because he’s still going to have plenty left in the tank,” Hooley said. 

Re-signing Brady Manek is a priority, according to Hooley, while all eyes will be on the movements of Luke Travers, who would become hot property if the Cleveland Cavaliers chose not to exercise their draft rights on the emerging star. 

Experienced pair Mitch Norton and Todd Blanchfield saw their playing time drop significantly this year, affecting their on-court production. Both are contracted, but Hooley says it could be time for change. 

“I think the big ones are Mitch Norton and Todd Blanchfield, what happens with their contracts?,” he said. 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them parts ways and finds somewhere else … potentially both, it will be interesting to see what happens.

“The money will be tied up, but they are also still at an age where they want to play ball. You don’t want to sit on the bench for another year unless it’s for financial stability.

“I think both of them could potentially find a new home.” 

Last week, NBL commentator Derek Rucker pondered the future of the Webster brothers, Corey and Tai, 

“I’ve made no bones about my feelings for the Webster brothers,” Rucker said on The Marketplace. “I love them as players, both are super creative and talented, but I don’t think they’re good on the same team.

“I would have to make a decision – one or the other. I’d probably lean towards Corey out of the goodness of my heart [because] I think it’s easier for Tai to find a spot in this competition, and I think I would roll with Corey to play with Bryce [Cotton] and whoever else you decide to put in the backcourt with those guys.”

Hooley said the Wildcats should be looking both locally and abroad to improve their roster.

“There’s some big names out there, some local college kids … it’s going to be a really busy off-season for the Wildcats,” he added. 

“Six months ago we were going ‘geez they’ve got like two spots to turn over’. All of a sudden they’ve only got two guys left.”