REPORT: Seven clubs chasing McDowell-White

No matter what happens in the final week of the NBL24 Championship Series, the impending free agency is threatening to take itself to an even higher level than last season’s player movement period.

One player who was seen as a cornerstone of the most recent off-season was Will McDowell-White, and whether or not he would re-sign with New Zealand. The star guard ended up signing a one-year extension with a player option ahead of this recent campaign, but his services are once again reportedly in high demand.

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc says most teams in the NBL are preparing to at least have a conversation with the guard.

“There’s more going on now than I think I’ve ever seen in a free agency before as far as teams figuring out what they want,” Uluc said on The Marketplace.

“Will McDowell-White is one of – if not the – key free agent for most teams. From what I understand, all but three teams are preparing to reach out to Will McDowell-White and his representatives and show interest.

“The three teams I’m told that haven’t yet expressed interest for Will McDowell-White are the Cairns Taipans, Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United. Everyone else is planning to have Will McDowell-White atop their free agent list they’re going to chase.

“Granted, he had a down season that was marred by multiple injuries, but there’s an idea of what Will McDowell-White is as a big, local point guard. If you can get someone like that, the idea of Will McDowell-White is extremely valuable.”

Uluc says the Breakers will be doing their utmost to retain McDowell-White on their roster.

“From the New Zealand piece of this, they see him as a long-term part of that franchise and they have a desire to keep him,” Uluc continued.

“He has a player option which he has yet to exercise one way or the other. New Zealand does see him as someone they’d love to keep and continue to build around.”

McDowell-White played just 24 games this past season as he – and the wider Breakers roster – battled with injury.

A hand issue kept him sidelined at the start of the season, before a leg fracture saw him miss four rounds of the season.

Finally, a shoulder injury meant he was below his best for New Zealand’s Finals campaign, in which they bowed out to the Illawarra Hawks in the Play-In Game.

Peter Hooley believes there shouldn't be too much stock placed on McDowell-White’s NBL24.

“You can’t look too much into this season and what we saw. His numbers were down – nine points per game and four assists – he played 24 games and six of those he played less than 20 minutes due to injuries or returning, so there were reasons why,” Hooley said.

“Also, the timing of injuries. He started injured then had to try and fit alongside an elite import in Parker Jackson-Cartwright. That is hard to do on the fly when you don’t have significant practice time ... when you talk about what championship teams need, if you get Will McDowell-White as the figurehead and leader of that engine room you’re one step closer to winning a title because he is so unique.

“He’s one of one”.

The NBL free agency period will officially begin no later than two weeks following the final game of the Championship Series.

Game 4 of the Championship Series between Tasmania and Melbourne will be broadcast from 7:30pm AEDT on Thursday night, live on ESPN via Kayo.