Wildcats "really close" to signing local: Mills

Perth Wildcats General Manager of Basketball Danny Mills has teased his side is rapidly closing in on the signing of a local talent for NBL25.

Much of the Wildcats’ NBL25 roster is already set in stone, and John Rillie’s side has just two players – one of which is an import spot – and a Next Star to add to its ranks, as well as potentially development player signings.

Tai Webster’s team option has already been accepted, while Corey Webster’s has been declined by the club. Jesse Wagstaff has also been re-signed for a 16^th season with the Wildcats, and development player Michael Harris will move into a full roster spot for next season.

“I think we’re really close to a local player, that’ll happen really soon,” Mills told SportFM.

“Then the other two spots are a Next Star, and that can take some time given the pool of players that are actually eligible for that position, and finding one that can really play in our rotation and contribute to winning as an 18 or 19-year-old.

“The import spot for us will be crucial knowing we have Bryce, and knowing we’ve got Kristian and what he brought last year.

“The thought is always to have guys locked in earlier, but finding the right guy and the right piece to fit around all the players we’ve got here is more important.

“Compared to last year our roster is quite settled. There are a few positions still to be signed but, for the most part, we have about 80-85 per cent of the roster confirmed for next year which is a good thing given the season we just had.”

With such little room to manouvre with new signings compared to other clubs across the NBL, the Wildcats have had to lock into their key roster needs in order to take that next leap forward.

Mills says two key areas of improvement have been identified, and Perth hopes to cover those with any incoming signings.

“There are two areas we identified as we reviewed the season which was shooting – we need guys who can come in and just knock down shots and help space the floor – and ten probably continuing to strengthen our defence up front, rebounding,” Mills said.

“Shooting, for sure. Every time you build a roster shooting is such a huge component, it keeps the floor spaced and allows us to play the way we want to play.

“Those are two key areas, and I think we’re close to a couple of good prospects that can help in both areas.”

The level of available local talent on the free agency market is already beginning to shrink as the first week of free agency continues to progress, but the ability to attract top tier talent to the NBL is reaching a never-before-seen level.

The Wildcats benefitted from acquiring some of the most exciting rookie talent in the NBL last season through Next Star Alexandre Sarr and emerging Australian guard Ben Henshall, while the Sydney Kings have already confirmed the signing of talented collegiate forward Keli Leaupepe heading into NBL25.

Imports like Tasmania’s Milton Doyle, New Zealand’s Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Illawarra’s Gary Clark have also showcased just how important it is to nail your import signings if you want to be competitive in the current NBL landscape.

With more talent becoming available to clubs than ever before, Mills says Perth has cast its recruitment net wide to fill these final positions, but quickly zoned in on potential difference-making individuals.

“We’re at the stage where the NBL is a very attractive place for foreigners to come and play. Obviously, Australia is a great place for them to live in if they’ve got family, but we’re now seeing young prospects that want to come here and use it as a springboard to the NBA,” he said.

“We’re scouring the globe, European leagues, NBA G-League, guys who have left the NBA whether they’ve been cut or they just haven’t made it after their first couple of seasons out of college.

“Then the college landscape which has a lot of Australian and New Zealand players playing in it.

“There’s a lot of territory to cover and we’re looking at a lot of names, but at the end of the day there are only so many who can contribute at our level. You cast it wide, but pretty quickly you begin to narrow it down and then there’s obviously positional needs that come into it.”