Adelaide closing in on import replacement?

The Adelaide 36ers seem to be closing in on their replacement for departed import Jamaal Franklin, and it may not be the point guard CJ Bruton has seemingly been actively seeking.

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc has previously reported 36ers management to be seeking a combo forward type of player to complement an already deep guard rotation that includes NBL veterans Mitch McCarron and Jason Cadee, Next Star Trentyn Flowers, Nick Marshall, Sunday Dech and Keanu Rasmussen.

Peter Hooley believes the 36ers could be closing in on a new signing, and has discussed the type of player he thinks Bruton should call on to join the roster.

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“To me they’re in a bit of a – and it’s a bit weird to say luxury considering the spot they’re in – but they just need ‘that guy’,” Hooley said on NBL Now.

“By that I mean look at every other team in the league, when times get tough and you need scoring and playmaking who is ‘that guy’.

“It’s Milton Doyle for Tasmania when he brought them back on Friday night, it’s Jaylen Adams for Sydney – Sydney might have a couple of players – Melbourne United Chris Goulding or Delly. A lot of teams have two or three guys they can throw the ball to.

“If you look at Adelaide’s roster I don’t think they have ‘that guy’ who can do that and help them out. They did play well against Melbourne on the weekend and it literally fell apart with some crucial, not so much playmaking errors, in the fourth quarter - but effort and hustle plays.

“It sounds like potentially they have someone who’s on the radar they want to bring in. Offensively they’re not where they need to be, but I want them to bring someone in when the going gets tough throw them the rock and say ‘make plays and make something happen’.”

The acquisition of a combo forward type player would likely mean captain Mitch McCarron would continue to lead the side for the remainder of the season, but the Boomer has struggled in Adelaide’s opening two games.

He’s dished just three assists combined against Brisbane and Melbourne though, and hit just one of seven three-point attempts in Round 1.

Hooley believes the constant conjecture around the possibility of Adelaide recruiting a new point guard has created a tough environment for McCarron to thrive.

“A lot of people are thinking thy need to bring in a point guard because Mitch McCarron had his struggles last season,” Hooley said.

“I think if you’re Mitch McCarron you’re hearing the outside [noise] and you’re hearing CJ Bruton saying he wants a point guard – that’s not going to help you play any better hearing your time is limited.

“If they go down the three-four path he slots back in knowing ‘this is my team, I have to run this and do everything right as a captain and a playmaking point guard’ and I think that will better suit him.

“I think they’re loaded in a lot of positions and that versatility is going to help them, they obviously need Trey Kell to play a lot better and they’re trying to unlock him, but to me they just need that dude who’s going to come in and make things happen on a consistent basis.”

The 36ers play away to both Perth and Sydney in Round 2.