NBL22 Roster Watch

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Let’s take a glance at where each club’s roster sits at this point of the off-season.As a bit of a snapshot, I’ve listed each squad’s returning players, their new guys and dropped in an old-fashioned depth chart to show who’s who in the zoo.

By Liam Santamaria

We are now into the fourth week of this year’s free agency period and there is still plenty going on right across the league.

In fact, the past couple of weeks have actually been kind of bonkers.

I mean, Melbourne United signed Delly, Tassie inked a deal with Will Magnay and now the Illawarra Hawks have announced they’re bringing electric guard Travis Trice back to the league.

And the best part? There are still plenty of signings to come.

In the meantime, let’s take a glance at where each club’s roster sits at this point of the off-season.

As a bit of a snapshot, I’ve listed each squad’s returning players, their new guys and dropped in an old-fashioned depth chart to show who’s who in the zoo.

* denotes restricted player (import)

(NS) denotes ‘Next Stars’ player

(DP) denotes development player

(SRP) denotes special restricted player

(NRP) denotes nominated replacement player

ADELAIDE 36ERS

Head Coach: Conner Henry

Returning: Isaac Humphries, Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech

New: Mitch McCarron, Dusty Hannahs*, Mojave King (NS), Kai Sotto (SRP)

Need: An import forward, a back-up PG and a few more pieces on the wings.

Depth Chart:

PG: McCarron |

SG: Hannahs* | King (NS)

SF: Dech |

PF: Johnson |

C: Humphries | Sotto (SRP)

Notes: Adelaide’s GM of Basketball Jeff Van Groningen talked a big game heading into free agency and, so far, he’s matched that lip service with action.

It started with the recruitment of McCarron, a championship-winning point guard, and most recently included the addition of Next Star Mojave King and American sharpshooter Dusty Hannahs.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the Sixers Dusty! ??<br><br>More info: <a href="https://t.co/bnUriOsXTB">https://t.co/bnUriOsXTB</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreSixers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreSixers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/rU2fNMty3W">pic.twitter.com/rU2fNMty3W</a></p>— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1417325894864044033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As for the rest of their roster, I’m expecting a back-up point guard to be announced soon and am told that the Sixers are currently in advanced talks with an import forward who spent last year on an NBA two-way contract.

BRISBANE BULLETS

Head Coach: James Duncan

Returning: Nathan Sobey, Anthony Drmic, Jason Cadee, Tyrell Harrison, Tanner Krebs, Tamuri Wigness

New: Isaiah Moss*, Jack Salt, Deng Deng

Need: A guard to start alongside Sobey and an import big.

Depth Chart:

PG: Sobey | Cadee | Wigness

SG: | Krebs

SF: Drmic | Moss*

PF: | Deng

C: Harrison | Salt

Notes: It’s been an interesting couple of months for the Bullets which began with the departure of former head coach Andrej Lemanis and the hiring of James Duncan to replace him.

From there things have moved a little slowly as the Bullets re-signed Cadee and inked deals with reserves Salt and Deng as well as import wing Isaiah Moss.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let's get to work ?<br><br>Moss said: “I’m looking forward to playing in the NBL. It’s a great League, one of the best in the world so I’m just excited to get out there and meet my new teammates, Coach Duncan and get to work".<br><br>?<a href="https://t.co/z29mYWknfe">https://t.co/z29mYWknfe</a> <a href="https://t.co/gzJjY9IID8">pic.twitter.com/gzJjY9IID8</a></p>— Brisbane Bullets (@BrisbaneBullets) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrisbaneBullets/status/1414440161551667200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The most recent bit of news involving Brisbane has been their involvement in talks surrounding Corey Webster. There is an understanding around league circles right now that the New Zealand Breakers guard is potentially available and the Bullets are certainly interested in obtaining him. Watch this space.

CAIRNS TAIPANS

Head Coach: Adam Forde

Returning: Scott Machado*, Cam Oliver*, Kouat Noi, Majok Deng, Nate Jawai, Jordan Ngatai, Mirko Djeric

New: Keanu Pinder

Need: A back-up point guard and an import wing.

Depth Chart:

PG: Machado* |

SG: | Djeric

SF: Noi | Ngatai

PF: Deng | Pinder

C: Oliver* | Jawai

Notes: The Taipans announced the signing of former Adelaide forward Keanu Pinder on Monday who will certainly bring length and athleticism to their frontcourt off the bench.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New signing: The Taipans are pleased to welcome Keanu Pinder to the team on a two-year deal, the first new player on the team’s 2021-22 roster.<a href="https://t.co/4bRzNPMGg5">https://t.co/4bRzNPMGg5</a></p>— Cairns Taipans (@CairnsTaipans) <a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans/status/1417032269533835268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The next spot to fill is on the wing where, in the absence of DJ Newbill, they really lacked a defensive stopper last season. With Newbill re-signing in Japan, the Snakes have had to look elsewhere to find that guy and my understanding is that they’re currently in advanced talks with Mitch Creek’s former teammate at the Long Island Nets, Tahjere McCall, as a guy to potentially come in and play that role. Somewhat in the mould of a guy like Justin Simon, McCall would have the ability to guard multiple positions in the NBL and would be a high-impact guy at that end of the floor.

As for the back-up PG, they’ve got options as both Jarrod Kenny and Tad Dufelmeier Jr are still free agents. That said, I’m expecting the Taipans to lean towards experience and re-sign Kenny with TDJ likely to move elsewhere.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS

Head Coach: Brian Goorjian

Returning: Tyler Harvey*, Justinian Jessup (NS), Sam Froling, AJ Ogilvy, Emmett Naar, Dan Grida, Akoldah Gak, Isaac White, Lachlan Dent (DP)

New: Duop Reath, Travis Trice*

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

Depth Chart:

PG: Trice* | Naar | Dent (DP)

SG: Harvey* | White

SF: Jessup (NS) | Grida

PF: Froling |

C: Reath | Ogilvy | Gak

Notes: The Hawks have been busy in recent weeks as they’ve bolstered a squad that made it to the semi-finals last season.

Re-signing Harvey to a multi-year deal was a strong initial play while the recruitment of Duop Reath will do wonders for the frontcourt.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Illawarra Hawks are thrilled to announce <a href="https://twitter.com/DuopReath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DuopReath</a> has officially signed with the club for the 2021/22 NBL season.<br><br>Duop is currently preparing with Goorj and the Boomers for the Tokyo Olympics.<br><br>Full story - <a href="https://t.co/xJymIVflbO">https://t.co/xJymIVflbO</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyAsOne?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyAsOne</a> <a href="https://t.co/qSKQnelCmH">pic.twitter.com/qSKQnelCmH</a></p>— Illawarra Hawks Basketball (@illawarrahawks) <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks/status/1416952564948426752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Then, of course, there’s today’s signing of Travis Trice! The former Cairns and Brisbane guard has been balling in Europe the past couple of years and will pair with Harvey to form a dynamic backcourt combination.

At small forward, Justinian Jessup is still under contract as a Next Star but his status will depend on how he fares at next month’s NBA Summer League. Meanwhile, I’m told negotiations are ongoing with last year’s Best Defensive Player, Justin Simon.

Lastly, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc has reported today that the Hawks have inked a deal with Harry Froling as a guy to provide back-up minutes at the four and the five. The Froling bros uniting in the Gong is an interesting turn of events.

MELBOURNE UNITED

Head Coach: Dean Vickerman

Returning: Chris Goulding, Jack White, Mason Peatling, Shea Ili, Jo Lual-Acuil, David Barlow

New: Matthew Dellavedova, Brad Newley, Dion Prewster, Zac Triplett (DP)

Need: Scotty Hopson’s signature and an import to replace Jock Landale.

Depth Chart:

PG: Dellavedova | Ili

SG: Goulding | Prewster | Triplett (DP)

SF: | Newley

PF: Peatling | Barlow | White (injured)

C: | Lual-Acuil

Notes: It was a quick turnaround for United late last month as they had just 48 hours to celebrate their Championship before free agency officially began.

They lost a couple of key pieces – namely Mitch McCarron (Adelaide) and Sam McDaniel (Tasmania) – but secured the biggest signature of the off-season when they inked a deal with NBA Champion Matthew Dellavedova.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DELLY SIGNS WITH UNITED<br>We are pleased to announce that Australian basketball superstar Matthew Dellavedova has signed with Melbourne United on a 3-year deal.<br>Read the full story here ??</p>— Melbourne United (@MelbUnitedHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelbUnitedHQ/status/1413359032115494915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

They clearly need an import scorer on the wing and I’m told that talks with Scotty Hopson are progressing well. Hopefully they can get that done.

Finally, Melbourne have also been linked to promising young Victorian big man David Okwera. The talented youngster most recently represented Australia at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Latvia and would be a really good pick-up as he’s loaded with potential.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

Head Coach: Dan Shamir

Returning: Finn Delany, Tom Abercombie, Tai Webster, William McDowell-White, Corey Webster, Rob Loe, Kyrin Galloway, Rasmus Bach, Isaac Davidson (DP)

New: Yanni Wetzell, Ousmane Dieng (NS), Sam Timmins (DP)

Need:

Depth Chart:

PG: | McDowell-White

SG: T. Webster | C. Webster | Bach

SF: Abercrombie | Dieng (NS) | Davidson (DP)

PF: Delany | Galloway

C: Wetzell | Loe | Timmins (DP)

Need:

Notes: The Breakers moved swiftly once again this off-season as they re-signed a few key pieces and pounced on a couple of exciting additions.

The addition of Yanni Wetzell was a big one, especially given his Kiwi heritage, while 2022 NBA Draft prospect Ousmane Dieng is certainly full of potential.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We've got a new #5 in town.<br><br>Yanni Wetzell is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNBREAKABLE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNBREAKABLE</a>!<br><br>Read more on our website:<a href="https://t.co/2JdKAUxGaa">https://t.co/2JdKAUxGaa</a> <a href="https://t.co/YrsyPN7CbM">pic.twitter.com/YrsyPN7CbM</a></p>— Sky Sport Breakers (@NZBreakers) <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers/status/1410830122244972545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Breakers have also been linked, via reports from ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, to former Euroleague point guard Peyton Siva as well as another talented young Frenchman, Hugo Besson. Siva averaged 10 points and 5 assists per game for Alba Berlin last season and would be an extremely high-level signing while Besson is a 20-year-old combo guard who can really score – kind of in the mould of a guy like Tyler Herro. Given his NBA potential, Besson would essentially be a Next Star but, with Dieng already on board, the Breakers would be signing him as an import.

PERTH WILDCATS

Head Coach:

Returning: Bryce Cotton*, Todd Blanchfield, Mitch Norton, Luke Travers, Jesse Wagstaff, Majok Majok, Corey Shervill (DP)

New:

Need: To get a move on.

Depth Chart:

PG: Norton |

SG: Cotton* |

SF: Blanchfield | Shervill (DP)

PF: Travers | Wagstaff

C: | Majok

Notes: The Wildcats and their new ownership are reeling at the moment after losing their head coach to the NBA and their star big man to a lucrative contract in Japan.

Fortunately, they do have a strong core of talent locked in with Cotton, Blanchfield and Travers still under contract and Norton, Wagstaff, Shervill and Majok all re-upping on new contracts.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Norto’s not going anywhere, Red Army!<br><br>Two-time Wildcats champion Mitch Norton has re-signed with the club for the next three years! ?? <br><br>Full details: <a href="https://t.co/cW5ZrX2zKB">https://t.co/cW5ZrX2zKB</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mk6ABZcw9f">pic.twitter.com/Mk6ABZcw9f</a></p>— Perth Wildcats (@PerthWildcats) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerthWildcats/status/1410448084761419783?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

At this point, the first order of business is to replace Trevor Gleeson. Interestingly, I’ve heard Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy’s name mentioned recently as a possible recruit. Handy would certainly be a high-profile signing however I understand there are numerous other candidates on their list.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

Head Coach: Simon Mitchell

Returning: Mitch Creek, Ryan Broekhoff, Cam Gliddon, Kyle Adnam, Reuben Te Rangi, Dane Pineau, Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa

New:

Need: Imports at the one and the five and a back-up big.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Adnam

SG: Gliddon | Le’Afa

SF: Broekhoff | Te Rangi

PF: Creek |

C: | Pineau

Notes: The Phoenix moved swiftly this off-season to re-sign key pieces like Broekhoff, Adnam and Le’Afa but were unable to keep Yanni Wetzell from heading across the ditch.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">R?WDY ?<a href="https://twitter.com/RBroekhoff45?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RBroekhoff45</a>'s time at the club is set to continue, signing a new two-year deal to remain in the Heartland!<br><br>NBL22 Memberships: <a href="https://t.co/783pVL2NR3">https://t.co/783pVL2NR3</a></p>— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1409285463349727236?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Their attention now is on their import spots as they look to secure high-level operators at the one and the five.

Who is in the mix? Well, I mentioned on ‘Market Watch’ last week that Casper Ware had recently been through their facility in LA, as had high-energy big man Zach Hankins. I understand they’ve had talks with both of those guys. There are others in the mix as well, especially at point guard, with Keifer Sykes still a chance to return and a couple of others in the mix.

SYDNEY KINGS

Head Coach: Chase Buford

Returning: Xavier Cooks, Jarell Martin*, Dejan Vasiljevic, Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce, Angus Glover, Tom Vodanovich

New: Biwali Bayles, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (NRP)

Need: Imports at the one and the three and one more back-up big.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Bayles

SG: Bruce | Swaka Lo Buluk (NRP) | Vasiljevic (injured)

SF: | Glover

PF: Cooks | Vodanovich

C: Martin* | Hunter

Notes: The Kings have had a nice off-season thus far. They’ve recruited a new head coach, re-upped with their entire frontline and brought in some nice young talent in Biwali Bayles and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HEAD COACH LOCKED IN ??<br><br>The Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings are pleased to announce Chase Buford has been appointed as the Club’s new Head Coach on a multi-year deal. ??<br><br>Details: <a href="https://t.co/ZfW4TKF6ep">https://t.co/ZfW4TKF6ep</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheKings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/YGxOBhCm2L">pic.twitter.com/YGxOBhCm2L</a></p>— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1408333048144302082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As for their imports, the Kings have been looking at their options at point guard. That has involved holding discussions with the incumbent, Casper Ware, as well as numerous others (including one who played under Buford in the NBA G League).

On the wing, the Kings intend to play Angus Glover back-up minutes at the three and have been in the import market for a guy who can stroke it. That man, according to a report today from Sportando, is expected to be former Boston Celtics wing RJ Hunter. The 27-year-old was a first-round pick back in 2015 and has spent the last couple of years playing in Turkey, including last season at Galatasaray alongside Brock Motum.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Head Coach: Scott Roth

New: Josh Adams*, Will Magnay, Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl, Sam McDaniel, Jarrad Weeks, Fabijan Krslovic, Jarred Bairstow, Sejr Deans (DP)

Need: An import point guard and an import big.

Depth Chart:

PG: | Weeks | Deans (DP)

SG: Adams* | McDaniel

SF: McVeigh | Steindl

PF: | Krslovic | Bairstow

C: Magnay |

Notes: It’s never easy building a roster from scratch and the JackJumpers have pulled off a couple of nice signings over the last couple of weeks.

Sam McDaniel is coming off a really nice season, we’ve all seen what Will Magnay can do when he’s fit and healthy and Jack McVeigh appears ready to excel in fresh surroundings.

Yesterday the ants announced the signing of athletic guard Josh Adams and, according to an Olgun Uluc report, they are set to pair him with G League legend Josh Magette. That’s an import duo that will form a really intriguing starting backcourt.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JUMPING ? JACK ? JOSH <br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/JackJumpers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JackJumpers</a> have added a highlight making machine in new import Josh Adams <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL22?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL22</a> <a href="https://t.co/urcr2BZevO">pic.twitter.com/urcr2BZevO</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1417283419352965125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to head coach Scott Roth, the JackJumpers are also “very close” to securing a ‘Next Star’ for their inaugural roster. The Tassie coach spoke yesterday about this potential signing, described their target as “a guy that is just going to fit in seamlessly with what we’re doing and bring us some more depth.”