Scouting season: Your team’s needs to succeed

All eyes turn to Las Vegas on July 10 as the NBA Summer League gets underway. Every NBL team is represented, and some are gearing up to make moves.

>> NBL26 Roster Tracker: Every signing, extension and departure

Here’s what each team is chasing.

What they need: Nothing
Adelaide’s front office will be in attendance, but the club won’t be doing any shopping with their roster finalised already.

It’s a chance for Mike Wells to catch up with his strong NBA connections and Matt Weston to also keep an eye on potential future players for next year and beyond.

>> Current roster

What they need: Point guard and combo guard
With Will McDowell-White signing in France, it means the Bullets are now on the hunt for two significant playmakers to bolster their starting unit.

The front office will be looking for a dynamic point guard and a scoring combo guard who can help Casey Prather and Tyrell Harrison as the team’s primary offensive weapons.

>> Current roster

‍What they need: Three imports
Cairns will be the most active team at Summer League. It’s been a very slow burn this off-season for the Taipans, but with Sam Waardenburg as their only starter signed, it means they do have a lot of flexibility in what positions they get for imports.

You can expect one of those to be a strong interior presence to play alongside Waardenburg, while another will be a scoring combo-guard who can also defend at a high level. The last import will likely be dictated by whoever they sign in those two positions first.

>> Current roster

What they need: Point guard and power forward
The reigning champions are still strongly linked to Matt Hurt for their power forward position, but until something is signed, they’ll have to have contingencies in place.

While that occurs in the background, the Hawks will be on the hunt for a primary ball handler who can be a game breaker. What made Trey Kell III so important for Justin Tatum last year was the way he played alongside Tyler Harvey as well. Whoever that point guard is will have to be a high-level scorer and someone who complements Harvey.

>> Current roster

‍What they need: Starting center
United have quietly had a very successful off-season, bringing in high-level imports like Milton Doyle and Tyson Walker, while also bolstering their local unit.

Now all eyes turn to their starting center position, one which could dictate how far they go next season. Look for Melbourne to hunt for a dynamic interior presence, someone who can create his own shot out of the low post and someone who can finish above the rim.

>> Current roster

‍What they need: Shooting guard and power forward
On The Marketplace, the crew has discussed the type of pieces that the Breakers should look for to complete their starting five. If the Breakers can land a guard who plays like Barry Brown Jr and a forward who does it all like Anthony Lamb did, then they’ll be in a great position.

New Zealand has the core of its starting unit sorted, with Parker Jackson-Cartwright leading the way, Next Star Karim Lopez on the wing and Sam Mennenga down low.

>> Current roster

‍What they need: Import point guard and marquee center
According to ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, the Wildcats are offering up to a million dollars for their new import point guard. That means the front office will be on the hunt for some of those players who are being chased by high-level European teams also.

The Wildcats will be one to watch closely throughout the week, as they still need to find a local center as they hunt for their next major piece.

>> Current roster

‍What they need: Point guard, wing and a power forward
With the recent news of the mutual release with Omari Moore, it now means the Phoenix need to find a big-time replacement at point guard. While it’s not ideal news for fans, it was something the club was prepared for and will have some names lined up.

The power forward position is another main focus for Josh King, as he looks to fill the vacant spot that Matt Hurt left. Reports from Code Sports' Mick Randall suggest that role could be filled by Belgian forward Vrenz Bleijenbergh, who last played in Turkey.

After that, the Phoenix will have some options as to what path they go down for their final import spot.

Next Star Malique Lewis showed that he is more than capable of starting in the NBL, and if King wants to keep it that way, then their last import could fill any backup position he needs.

>> Current roster

‍What they need: Nothing
Sydney completed another very successful off-season and has put together another incredibly strong roster ahead of NBL26.

With Brian Goorjian joining the New York Knicks coaching staff at Summer League, the rest of the time will be spent on preparing the team for the pre-season as the stars work out together in California.

>> Current roster

What they need: Potentially a starting center
The JackJumpers are on Will Magnay watch for the next week, with the star big man currently with the Memphis Grizzlies. While a wrist injury is set to keep him out of most games, Olgun Uluc has reported that there is a lot of positive talk around Magnay landing a spot in the Grizzlies organisation in some capacity.

Because of that uncertainty, Scott Roth is on the front foot in terms of making sure they are ready to replace that integral piece, just in case.

>> Current roster