Perth's million-dollar plan

The Red Army are waiting for the next big roster move for their team, and according to ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, they’re targeting something very special.

“From what I understand, they’re willing to spend… up to a million dollars on that point guard spot,” he said on The Marketplace.

The Wildcats have been one of the biggest stories of the off-season since the departure of five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, which makes this next signing that much more important.

“Outside of Bryce Cotton and Xavier Cooks, (that) would be the highest paid player in the league,” Uluc added.

“The money they’re putting forward, and they’re offering to different agents around the basketball world for that point guard spot, is extremely high.

“The idea that they’re just sitting on their hands is obviously not true.”

With the NBA Summer League about to kick off, all NBL teams will be represented by coaches, owners and General Managers looking to finalize their roster.

“That dollar figure is astronomical,” Pete Hooley said.

“That means that Danny Mills and John Rillie… they’ll be sitting in a different spot (at Summer League).

“A lot of other teams when they go over there, are actually looking for players that probably don’t even play in the first couple of days.

“Because those imports, the ones playing in the first few days, are either competing for a two-way or have something lined up in Europe at a high level.

“Whereas Perth… if they’re throwing money around like that, then they’re looking at everybody on the floor, because they have the potential to go out and make a big offer.”

Derek Rucker agreed that this is a positive posotion for Perth, as long as they can nail that signing when it occurs.

"Good on them for going and digging in their wallets… to try and sign some type of quality player at the point guard position," he said.

"You need someone that’s going to take that ball and do a lot with it."

Uluc added some high-profile names that the Wildcats have been in contact with as they search for the next star.

“I’m told they reached out to Emmanuel Mudiay… I’m also told Xavier Simpson was also a player they reached out to.”

While those names would make a big splash for the Wildcats, Uluc concluded that it was unlikely they’d land either of those specifically.

“Now the Wildcats won’t be getting Mudiay… but it shows the type of player they’ve gone after.”

The 2025 NBA Summer League starts from July 11, Australian time, with exclusive interviews and insights available on the NBL App and NBL.com.au.