Why Brisbane just became a destination club

As the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers prepare for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Championship Series, the other eight teams are getting ready for a busy off-season of retooling their rosters.

Ahead of free agency tipping off 14 days after the conclusion of the Championship Series decider, NBL commentators Jack Heverin, Derek Rucker and Pete Hooley, as well as ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, sat down on a special episode of The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

The panel analysed how each of the six non-Playoff teams are shaping up for NBL27 season.

One of the teams generating a lot of interest heading into this off-season is the Brisbane Bullets, after recently appointing Will Weaver as their new President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach.

“He [Weaver] is highly credentialed and well respected around Australian basketball,” Uluc said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“Bringing in someone like Weaver is a serious move, and one of the biggest Brisbane has made in a long time.

“There is intrigue around local names like Tyrell Harrison, Mitch Norton and Jacob Holt.

“The question is whether Weaver can recruit players, as Brisbane previously could not.

“When his name first emerged, a high-level NBL player asked me directly if it was happening, as players want to play for him.

“When you look at Australians overseas, some see him as someone who elevates careers.”

In terms of the roster, along with the previously mentioned Harrison, Norton and Holt, the Bullets have Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray and Tristan Devers (club option) contracted for next season.

“If you look at Illawarra’s championship roster, there are parallels. Elite big man, strong backup, functional guards and depth,” Uluc said.

“Brisbane already has pieces. Add one marquee, possibly two imports to start, and keep your flexibility.”

Marquees that were mentioned as possibilities for Brisbane were Mitch Creek (who Weaver coached at Brooklyn’s NBA G League side Long Island), Will McDowell-White and Taran Armstrong.

Further to that, 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker explained that the Bullets have a big decision to make on import Casey Prather, who missed the end of the season due to a knee injury.

“Casey has defied logic twice already. I would not bet against him,” Rucker said.

“But he cannot be your feature import. If he returns, it should be as a secondary or third import, depending on your marquee structure.”

The Bullets could also throw their hat in the ring for the potential return of Boomers star Joe Ingles, after it emerged he was being pursued by NBL clubs.

The NBL26 Championship Series, between Sydney and Adelaide, tips off on Saturday from 7pm AEDT, live on ESPN and 10 Drama.