From big spenders to big contenders?

The Adelaide 36ers haven’t been afraid to spend money to land some top talent in recent years, and that trend looks set to continue heading into NBL26. 

“The 36ers have consistently been a top three spend team, as far the cash they’re willing to spend,” ESPN's Olgun Uluc said on The Marketplace.

After their hot start to free agency with some local signings, the 36ers have turned their attention to their three import roles and Uluc and Pete Hooley believe there are some big plays in store.

“The allotment of money they have set for those three import sports, I’d say 90 per cent of that will go to that point guard spot and the power forward,” Uluc said

“You’re putting All-NBL money into those two import spots.”

“The names we are hearing, if they can land one of those, then they’re going to be in a really good spot,” Hooley added.

The 36ers already have one of the strongest local contingents in their starting unit, with two marquee-level players and new signing Flynn Cameron.

“They’re in a different position than a lot of other teams, whereby they’ve had two marquee locals locked in for multi-year deals in DJ Vasiljevic and Isaac Humphries,” Hooley said.

“Maybe the last couple of seasons they’ve just gone to get talent and try and make it work. Rather than look at the marquees they have, and figure out how they best utilise these two going forward.”

When it comes to what those final key pieces will look like, 36ers fans may not have to wait too long to find out.

“I think we see one of their primary signings this month,” Uluc said.

“But from some of the names that Pete and I are hearing that they’re going after, it does feel like some of them may stretch out towards Summer League, as some of these higher end guys gauge what their future looks like.”