Why Phoenix released Cummings

The departure of Will Cummings from the South East Melbourne Phoenix has continued one of the most incredible NBL news weeks in recent times. First, the Adelaide 36ers parted ways with CJ Bruton and now, seemingly out of the blue, the Phoenix have released one of their key pieces, effective immediately.

The Phoenix released a short statement that said little but the fact Cummings had been let go, and the club 'would be making no further comment at this time'.

The former French LNB Pro A MVP appeared on the club’s podcast – Gettin’ Saucy – just four days ago, alongside Alan Williams, and discussed his experiences as a globe-trotting professional player who has two international league MVP awards to his name.

NBL analyst Liam Santamaria says his sources say Cummings’ release has nothing to do with his on-court production.

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“It’s surprising to see imports being released at this time in the season, especially a guy who’s been playing well, this is a team that’s actually doing pretty well and they’re in that playoff mix,” Santamaria said on NBL Now.

“We saw him come off the bench in the last game and that was clearly the start of these proceedings and then here we are – he’s not on the roster anymore.

“When a guy’s been playing quite well and this happens it’s clear there’s some other things going on, things off the floor or on the day-to-day during the week. That’s the word I’ve been getting off the back of the breaking of this news, that it’s that type of realm that this move has been made.

“The Phoenix are clearly not making this change because Will Cummings has been underperforming on the floor. Any time you make a move like that and you’re in the hunt, then it is a bold and brave call.”

Cummings’ release comes in the same week one of South East Melbourne’s go-to defensive stoppers – Craig Moller – underwent surgery for a season-ending ruptured patella injury that was suffered against New Zealand.

“They are in total flux right now, aren’t they? The Moller injury was disruptive enough, let alone parting ways with one of your leading scorers and key imports,” Santamaria continued. “They’re in total flux and back in the free agency market.

“I guess the benefit for them is they’re not looking for a short-term replacement ‘we’ve got an opportunity here for you for three, four, five weeks’. That’s hard to get like the Breakers have found with the Zylan Cheatham situation. You’re looking for a guy now for the rest of the season.

“They need a defensive stopper like Craig Moller was providing at that two, three, four spot to get that job done, alongside a guy like Matt Kenyon, but they also need some more offensive punch as well. Do you find that in two separate guys or do you hit the lottery and find that in one guy on the wing, an import out there on the market? That’s what they’ll be trying to achieve.”

South East Melbourne will play its first game without the services of Moller and Cummings when it faces the Sydney Kings on Sunday at 4pm, live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 Play.