Free Agency Analysis: Donald Sloan to Adelaide

Friday, August 21, 2020

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

Signed by: Adelaide 36ers

The deal: One year

Age: 32

2019-20 team: Baskets Bonn (Germany)

2019-20 stats (per game): 11.7 points, 2.0 assists, 45.8 FG%, 61.5 3P%, 100.0 FT% (3 games)

2018-19 team: Jiangsu Dragons (China)

2018-19 stats (per game): 25.5 points, 5.0 assists, 45.9 FG%, 34.5 3P%, 84.3 FT% (3 games)

Projected role: Starting combo guard.

Quote: “I’m so excited to get to Adelaide and join the team. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the players and the city and the fans. I’m more than ready and looking forward to leading and being an extension of Coach Henry on the floor.” – Donald Sloan

My take: Donald Sloan ticks a whole heap of boxes for the 36ers.

With nine locals and a Next Star already on their roster, the Sixers needed a high-level combo guard who could come in and get some buckets. Sloan is precisely that guy.

The 32-year-old has plenty of NBA experience and had some big moments in the league during his time with five different teams, including the Cavs, Pacers and Nets.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?? Donald Sloan <a href="https://twitter.com/dsloan15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dsloan15</a> <br> ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a> experience<br> ?? plenty.mp4<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSixers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSixers</a> <a href="https://t.co/m7vGxYp1s0">pic.twitter.com/m7vGxYp1s0</a></p>— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1296258147636531200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So what will Sloan bring to the City of Churches? Well, first things first, he’s a professional scorer. He’s quick, has crafty handles, is super strong and his attack on the rim has made him a legitimate bucket-getter over the course of his career. He’s not a lights-out shooter but if he hasn’t lost a step he’s going to be very tough to keep out of the paint – and off the free throw line – in the NBL.

Henry will want him to play minutes at both the one and the two and will be relying on him to put up big numbers for this youthful Sixers team. He’ll play-make, for sure, but he’s not going to come in and lead the league in dimes. Instead, the Sixers will need Sloan to score at a high rate and will lean on him in crunch time to own the big moments. If he’s fit and in-form, he should be able to get that done.