NBL21 Roster Watch

Saturday, August 8, 2020

By Liam Santamaria

Thank goodness for basketball.

Amidst a difficult year in so many ways, the last few weeks have brought a welcome serving of hoops to satisfy our cravings.

The NBA is bubbling along in Orlando and, for the last three and a half weeks, NBL teams have provided a constant flow of free agency signings.

Even former Next Stars have been soaking up the news.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> free agency is crazy rn</p>— Terry Armstrong (@TerryTerry25) <a href="https://twitter.com/TerryTerry25/status/1290512104680599552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So, as we approach the end of the first month of free agency, let’s take stock of what each club has been able to do.

Before we start though, my customary disclaimer about depth charts. Let’s be honest, charts like these are becoming increasingly archaic in the modern game. Rather than thinking about the sport’s traditional five positions, most coaches these days tend to consider their squad in terms of ‘ball-handlers’, ‘wings’ and ‘bigs’ and are high on players who can defend multiple positions.

Despite all that, I’ve constructed each team’s depth chart here the old fashioned way in order to provide a simple, clear picture of what each team has on their roster. Just keep in mind that very few players are single-position guys these day as most are able to slide up or down the line-up as required.

* denotes restricted player (import)

(NS) denotes ‘Next Stars’ player

(DP) denotes development player

ADELAIDE 36ERS

Head Coach: Conner Henry

Assistant Coaches: Unknown

Returning: Daniel Johnson, Jack McVeigh, Obi Kyei, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon, Alex Mudronja

New: Isaac Humphries, Josh Giddey (NS), Sunday Dech, Keanu Pinder

Need: A starting combo guard.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Giddey (NS) | Mudronja

SG: Dech | Dillon

SF: McVeigh | Teys

PF: Johnson | Kyei

C: Humphries | Pinder

The Word: The 36ers have nine locals already signed to fully-contracted roster spots, meaning they only have one spot left to use on an import. That guy will need to be a combo guard and, let’s be real, if this team’s going to be in the mix for postseason action, he’ll need to be a stud.

BRISBANE BULLETS

Head Coach: Andrej Lemanis

Assistant Coaches: CJ Bruton, Sam Mackinnon

Returning: Nathan Sobey, Will Magnay, Jason Cadee, Matt Hodgson, Tyrell Harrison

New: Anthony Drmic, Harry Froling, Tanner Krebs, Tamuri Wigness

Need: An import small forward to replace Lamar Patterson.

Depth Chart:

PG: Sobey | Wigness

SG: Drmic | Cadee

SF: | Krebs

PF: Magnay | Froling

C: Hodgson | Harrison

The Word: According to their GM of Basketball, Sam Mackinnon, the Bullets are “actively exploring the market for a suitable replacement” for Lamar Patterson. My advice, for whatever it’s worth, would be to wait; be patient and then pull off the ol’ switcheroo by pouncing on Scotty Hopson.

The former Breakers star is focused on returning to the NBA right now but if that doesn’t happen, he’s a chance to return to the NBL. Oh, and while his asking price is sky high right now it’s likely to be a lot lower a few months down the road if he hasn’t secured an NBA deal. The Bullets know all about that waiting game… they played it with Patterson last year and eventually got their man.

CAIRNS TAIPANS

Head Coach: Mike Kelly

Assistant Coaches: Jamie O’Loughlin, Brad Hill

Returning: Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Mirko Djeric, Nathan Jawai, Jarrod Kenny, Fabijan Krslovic

New: Mojave King (NS)

Need: To lock away deals with Scott Machado and Cam Oliver and then add a little more depth on the wings.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Kenny

SG: Djeric | King (NS)

SF: Noi |

PF: Deng | Krslovic

C: | Jawai

The Word: The Taipans remain confident that Machado will be back in orange next season but things are a little dicier when it comes to Cam Oliver. If the multi-talented big man is in the NBL he’s almost certain to be with the Snakes however a bunch of high-level European teams are currently knocking on his door.

One guy who is locked and loaded for next season is Next Stars recruit Mojave King. The 18-year-old is likely to see most of his playing time at shooting guard but will also play some point guard and small forward at times. The kid is just so talented and his growth will be very fun to watch.

THE HAWKS

Head Coach: Brian Goorjian

Assistant Coach: Jacob Jackomas

Returning: Sam Froling, Emmett Naar, Daniel Grida

New: Deng Adel, Cam Bairstow, Tyler Harvey*, Deng Deng, Isaac White, Max Darling

Need: A guard and a big.

Depth Chart:

PG: Harvey* | Naar

SG: | White

SF: Adel | Grida

PF: Bairstow | Darling | Deng

C: Froling |

The Word: The Hawks have done well to build this roster essentially from scratch, having entered free agency with zero players under contract. I’m expecting their final two spots to be filled by an import and a Next Stars recruit. As for their depth chart, I’ve got Froling listed as a starter for now but, depending on who else the Hawks sign, he may/may not be there on opening night.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former Chicago Bull and Rio Olympian Cam Bairstow (<a href="https://twitter.com/cambairstow41?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cambairstow41</a>) is the latest member of the Hawks squad, signing a one-year deal ?<br><br>'Bear' brings some serious experience to our front court for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> <br><br>More here: <a href="https://t.co/gtYswzwGsW">https://t.co/gtYswzwGsW</a> <a href="https://t.co/p4qdKBzfGY">pic.twitter.com/p4qdKBzfGY</a></p>— The Hawks (@thehawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/thehawks/status/1290391945429184512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

MELBOURNE UNITED

Head Coach: Dean Vickerman

Assistant Coaches: Justin Schueller, Ross McMains

Returning: Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, David Barlow, Shea Ili, Casey Prather*, Jo Lual-Acuil, Sam Short (DP)

New: Jack White, Yudai Baba, Mason Peatling (DP)

Need: A starting centre and a back-up small forward.

Depth Chart:

PG: McCarron | Ili | Short (DP)

SG: Goulding | Baba (SRP)

SF: Prather* |

PF: Barlow | White | Peatling (DP)

C: | Lual-Acuil

The Word: This ball club is primarily focused on getting everybody healthy right now after having a dozen players tested positive for coronavirus last weekend. It’s a trying time for the entire organisation and our thoughts and best wishes are with them.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

Head Coach: Dan Shamir

Assistant Coaches: Mody Maor, Chanel Pompallier

Returning: Corey Webster, Finn Delany, Tom Abercrombie, Rob Loe, Jarrad Weeks, Terry Li (DP)

New: Tai Webster, Lamar Patterson*, Dan Trist, Kyrin Galloway (DP)

Need: An import centre and a back-up wing.

Depth Chart:

PG: T. Webster | Weeks | Li (DP)

SG: Patterson* | C. Webster

SF: Abercrombie |

PF: Delany | Trist | Galloway (DP)

C: | Loe

The Word: New Zealand’s roster already looks very nice and they’re not done adding significant pieces to the mix. Team owner Matt Walsh tells me they’re looking to bring in a “big-time athlete” at the five and they’ve made it clear that they’ll be adding a Next Star so keep an eye out for reports on who that might be. In terms of their depth chart, the Breakers currently view Patterson (who stands at 6’5) as their likely starter at shooting guard with Abercrombie and Delany starting in the forward spots. That may change as we move closer to the start of the season but right now that’s where their heads are at.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">?YES THAT IS LAMAR PATTERSON! 2X NBL All-Star, NBA Certified, SIGNED, sealed and soon to be delivered to the Sky Sport Breakers this season? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL21?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL21</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/skysportnz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@skysportnz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nbl</a> <a href="https://t.co/mJEy1E3EbP">pic.twitter.com/mJEy1E3EbP</a></p>— Sky Sport Breakers NZ (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1290517686925967362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

PERTH WILDCATS

Head Coach: Trevor Gleeson

Assistant Coaches: Scott Roth, Jacob Chance, Luke Brennan

Returning: Bryce Cotton*, Mitch Norton, Clint Steindl, Jesse Wagstaff, Majok Majok, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Luke Travers (DP)

New: Todd Blanchfield, Kevin White

Need: Starting bigs.

Depth Chart:

PG: Norton | White

SG: Cotton* | Swaka Lo Buluk

SF: Blanchfield | Steindl | Travers (DP)

PF: | Wagstaff

C: | Majok

The Word: The Wildcats appear to be bringing in an import power forward to replace Nick Kay which means they need to find a local to hold it down at the five. That situation changes, however, if Cotton’s citizenship papers get processed. If ScoMo pushes those papers through, the Cats’ problems are solved and they’ll go imports at both the four and the five.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

Head Coach: Simon Mitchell

Assistant Coaches: Judd Flavell, Luke Kendall

Returning: Mitch Creek, Dane Pineau, Kyle Adnam, Adam Gibson, Kendall Stephens

New: Cam Gliddon, Reuben Te Rangi, Yanni Wetzell

Need: An import point guard, an import big, a DP or two and maybe a Next Star.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Adnam

SG: Gliddon | Gibson

SF: Te Rangi | Stephens

PF: Creek | Wetzell

C: | Pineau

The Word: After making a number of savvy moves in free agency, an import one and an import four/five will finish off this roster nicely. The Phoenix are looking for a point guard who can set the tone defensively while length and athleticism are the clear priorities in the frontcourt. Of course, the possible addition of a Next Star could shift that plan a little, especially if they can find a prospect who is ready to contribute. As for their depth chart, Wetzell is more of a centre than a power forward but he’ll definitely pinch hit at the four throughout the season.

SYDNEY KINGS

Head Coach: Will Weaver

Assistant Coaches: Adam Forde, Aleks Maric, James Duncan, Luc Longley (special advisor)

Returning: Xavier Cooks, Didi Louzada (NS), Brad Newley, Craig Moller, Shaun Bruce, Jordan Hunter

New: Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover

Need: A starting point guard and another elite big.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Bruce

SG: Vasiljevic | Glover

SF: Louzada (NS) | Newley

PF: Cooks | Moller

C: | Hunter

The Word: There are a lot of big questions surrounding the make-up of this roster at the moment, as the Kings juggle the uncertain statuses of Casper Ware, Didi Louzada, Jae’Sean Tate and, of course, Andrew Bogut. One thing that’s clear: patience will be all-important for Chris Pongrass and Will Weaver this off-season.

If the Kings can eventually bring back Tate, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them roll with Cooks, the currently unsigned Daniel Kickert and Jordan Hunter at the five with a sight towards a possible return from Bogut later in the season.