Free Agency Analysis: Casper Ware Back to Sydney

Friday, August 28, 2020

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

With free agency underway, NBL Media’s Liam Santamaria is taking a look at each and every signing and breaking down what it all means ahead of #NBL21.

Signing Snapshot: Casper Ware back to the Kings

Signed by: Sydney Kings

The deal: One year

Age: 30

2019-20 team: Sydney Kings

2019-20 stats (per game): 19.7 points, 3.9 assists, 38.5 FG%, 30.2 3P%, 78.4 FT%

Projected role: Starting point guard.

Quote: “I felt like I owed a little something to Sydney and I wasn’t done yet, so I want to get back and give them my all to try and get us that Championship.” – Casper Ware

My take: Don’t be mistaken, Casper Ware is an out-and-out superstar and this is a hugely positive result for the Kings.

Yes, his stroke was broken in the Grand Final series and yes, he had a pretty rough shooting year overall. But the three-time all-league guard is still one of the best in the business and his return is a major boon for a Sydney team looking to take the next step.

Why? Because the guy’s a winner. He’s an elite on-ball defender, a high IQ playmaker, a talented scorer and proven performer in late-game situations.

Again, I’m aware he went 9-of-44 in the granny. We all know his shot was off target throughout most of the year. But, if you watched enough of the Kings last season you know how important he was to that team. After all, he did steer them to a 20-win regular season and there’s a reason MU’s game plan in the semis revolved almost entirely around slowing him down. There’s also a reason why Casper’s peers – opposing players and coaches – selected him into the All-NBL Second Team, despite his well-publicised shooting woes. He’s just that good. A genuine difference-maker at both ends of the floor.

So… Ware’s return means that of the five players who opted out of their contracts back in May, only Nick Kay has wound up signing a deal elsewhere. Bryce Cotton is back with the Wildcats, Matt Hodgson is back in Brisbane and both Xavier Cooks and Casper will once again be donning the purple and gold.

Bring on NBL21!