Champions circling MVP finalist

As the dust slowly settles on the Illawarra Hawks' championship party, their fans may soon have an added reason to let that party continue, with Olgun Uluc reporting their interest in an MVP candidate.

“I’ve been told that the Illawarra Hawks have had multiple conversations with Matt Hurt,” he said on The Marketplace.

Hurt, who finished third in MVP voting last season for the South East Melbourne Phoenix has been a high-profile free agent after his incredible debut season in the NBL.

“He is a top target for Justin Tatum. They’ve had multiple conversations over the last few weeks,” Uluc added.

“He is priority number one outside of trying to bring Trey Kell III back.”

The Hawks already have the majority of their roster locked away for next season, which puts them well ahead of the rest of the competition at this point in the off-season.

While conversations are still reportedly ongoing regarding Kell’s future, it appears the Hawks are closing in on bringing in the former Duke Blue Devil standout.

“This is something that Matt Hurt is interested in… There is mutual interest there,” Uluc said.

It would be a massive signing for the Hawks, who retain nearly all of their championship-winning roster, but will be without Sam Froling until January due to his Achilles rehab.

“What a huge get it would be,” Pete Hooley said.

“They were the best offensive team in the league and then you go and add more firepower to that.

“When they have their full outfit available by the end of the season, it would be a very hard team to beat. Because they’ve been there and done it.”

Hurt had been previously linked with a potential return to the Phoenix, albeit it wasn’t clear whether that likelihood was getting any stronger.

“I will say that speaking to people around the Phoenix, there is still some hope they could bring him back,” Uluc noted.

“But I’m not entirely sure a deal gets done there.

“With the Phoenix sort of dragging their feet, the Illawarra Hawks are a team who have expressed strong interest.”