'The number one Free Agent move of all time'

NBL teams, players, fans and commentators alike were left in shock when the news dropped of Bryce Cotton’s reported move to Adelaide.

One of the all-time greats in the NBL is now a 36er, after nine incredible seasons and five MVPs with the Perth Wildcats.

When Derek Rucker, John Casey and Peter Hooley caught up just minutes after 9 News reported Cotton’s move, they were understandably still coming to terms with what had just happened.

“I had to get it confirmed by three separate sources before I’d actually believe this was happening - that Bryce Cotton was turning his back on the Perth Wildcats and coming to Adelaide,” Casey said.

“This may be the number one free agent transaction of all time in the NBL,” Rucker continued.

“Bryce is an icon. He’s been a cultural phenom now in the Australian sporting landscape just based on his brilliance.”

>> Bombshell: Cotton's shock NBL return?

While Adelaide lost Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell in the off-season, the signing of Cotton - alongside local marquees Dejan Vasiljevic and Isaac Humphries - makes them a genuine championship threat.

“One guy ... one guy can change your fortune so rapidly in our league,” Rucker continued.

“Adelaide must be alight tonight at the prospect of having ... the greatest import of all time.”

Cotton boasts averages of 23.1 points and 4.3 assists per game throughout an incredible 258-game NBL career - but even more impressively, had arguably his most dominant season in NBL25, with a career-high 28.6 points per game, on his way to a fifth MVP.

“It’s a game-changer, without a doubt,” Casey said.

“Bryce Cotton coming here has sent shockwaves right around Adelaide and across the sporting community.”

Hooley summed it all up perfectly: “They simply just don’t get much bigger than this,” he said.

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