Free Agency Analysis: Prather and Melbourne Part Ways, Now What?

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.

Released by: Melbourne United 

The particulars: Mutual termination of contract

Age: 29

2019-20 stats (per game): 9.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 44.9 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 100.0 FT% (6 games)

Quote: “We will long celebrate Casey’s achievements both for our club and more broadly here in the league for years to come and we support Casey with his next career move.” – Vince Crivelli (Melbourne United CEO)

My take: Man, it’s sad to see Casey Prather go but, unfortunately, this is the right move for Melbourne United.

At his best, Prather is an elite talent and a proven difference-maker in the NBL. That said, it’s just too risky for MU to roll the dice with him again this year.

With knee and hamstring injuries keeping him off the floor, the three-time champ played just six games last season and that’s after not playing pro ball at all the previous year.

In the end, the leap of faith Melbourne took in signing him to a multi-year deal twelve months ago has, it’s fair to say, not paid off. Don’t get me wrong, he really did look great on that training floor in Las Vegas. He looked fit, strong, healthy and hungry. But… he was also coming off a year plagued by knee problems and there was always a risk that those issues would continue. Fast forward to now and the right thing to do is to cut ties and move on.

United need a dependable, high-level operator in that three spot and, unfortunately, Prather just cannot be relied upon to be on the floor. Instead, they need to pivot in a different direction.

Thankfully, there are plenty of good options at that position on the import market. Of those with NBL experience, DJ Newbill would’ve been a good fit, despite being a little undersized, but I’m told the reigning DPOY has inked a deal overseas. If they’re willing to wait, who knows, maybe they can land Scotty Hopson.

Either way, this is the right move for Melbourne to make. The challenge now is to find someone better – well, healthier – to bring in.