Maor concedes: 'We could lose stars'

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Mody Maor says the "financial side" of free agency could restrict New Zealand's ability to retain key pieces.

The New Zealand Breakers look like they’re taking their roster back to square one.

Almost the entirety of their squad is out of contract following the culmination of NBL24, and with key guard Will McDowell-White reportedly attracting interest around the league, head coach Mody Maor says finances will restrict how many players he can bring back.

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc has reported seven clubs are interested in the services of McDowell-White, and with key local talents Finn Delany and Izayah Le’Afa also reportedly possessing end of season options, the futures of all three will be known sooner rather than later.

“The nature of this business and off-season is it’s more about the financial side than anything,” he told Stuff.

“These are three very good players who have a market other teams are interested in – not only in the NBL, but other places. There is a financial reality that maybe this doesn’t work out.”

The Breakers have pulled together two of the best import trios in the NBL over the past two seasons. Jarrell Brantley, Dererk Pardon and Barry Brown Jr led the side to the NBL22 Championship Series, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Zylan Cheatham and Anthony Lamb pulled an injury-hit side into the post-season.

A return for MVP candidate Jackson-Cartwright already looks to be off the table following the signing of an 18-month deal with Turkish side Galatasaray, and Maor says the stars need to align for any of the trio to return next season.

“There’s always hope. But a lot of things will need to align for one of our imports from the past two years to come play for the Breakers,” Maor added.

“It’s the nature of where we are in the market, where the NBL is in the market, and where we sit within the NBL. When we have imports that are very, very good, bringing them back is going to be hard.

“The reality is if things align, they will align in July and not April.”

Read the full story here >> Big decisions loom for Mody Maor as NZ Breakers get set for NBL free agency.