Currently 25 which is max age

The Wildcats have no interest in boosting DP's. It's just a title to make it look like they are interested in furthering young players careers or looking like they are creating a development pathway. They aren't. They will recruit someone more "ready" or experienced every season.

Hopefully he can pick up a gig somewhere though!

In recent years we've had Greg Hire come through the DP system, and Tom Jervis come through as a Training Player. We've also shown a willingness to pick up young players returning from College, like Greenwood and Wroe.
Not really sure what more you expect them to do?

Free agent Dexter Kernich-Drew has spent the week in Perth trialling with the Perth Wildcats.

Kernich-Drew has participated in daily workouts with Wildcats coaching staff both in the gym and on the court.

The 24-year-old sharp-shooter was pleased with what he accomplished over the five days.

"It's been pretty good. Great to see all the coaching staff and front office staff and get some quality workouts in with the guys," he said.

“Basically I just wanted to come out here, give my all and show them that I’m looking to be a part of this program. I’d love to lock in a spot in the NBL.”

Dexter Kernich-Drew spent two stints training with the Wildcats during the 2015/16 season.

The Australian wing-player graduated from Washington State University in 2015 where in his senior season he averaged 6.6 points per game, shooting the three-ball at 43 per cent.

He’ll be looking to join signed Wildcats Damian Martin, Greg Hire, Matt Knight, Jesse Wagstaff, Angus Brandt and Jarrod Kenny on the 2016/17 roster.

Wroe was a DP, and can remain so with the increase in age-limit.
The problem with last years bench, is that we had 3 forwards, who at best were stretch-4's, trying to back up both the 3 & 4 spots.
And only one guard, Kenny, to back up the 1 & 2.
Bringing in a guy like DKD, could can potentially back up the 2 or 3, makes a lot of sense.

He doesn't actually need to replace anyone, as the bench has now been extended to 6.

So the Squad would look something like this:

Import / Brandt
Knight / Wagstaff
Import / Hire
Import / DKD
Martin / Kenny

with Redhage as the 11th Man.

Had he been eligible, he would have been a DP last season.
Yes, they increased the cut-off by a year for this season, but he's kinda gotten a year older in the mean time.

The rule was that a player must be UNDER the age limit as of 30th April in the year of CONCLUSION of the season. The age limit was 24.
The NBL has announced an increase to 25, however I assume the rule is otherwise unchanged.
So a DP must be under 25 on 30th April 2017, for the coming season.

DKD was born in 1991, he will already be 25 by the time this coming season starts. Hence he doesn't qualify.

Dazz when was that article posted?

DKD has been in Perth since last season and was training with the cats the entire time. He also attended games and sat with other DPs.

If he wasn't a DP he was doing the exact same thing the DPs do.

I've heard what clubs can do is pay players like DKD as a front office staff member, but they still train and do all the team stuff. Nice little loop hole.

I think the 'trial' is just the Wildcats making some news out of nothing.

DKD has a skinny frame, but it will be interesting to see if he gets a roster spot and how he will fit in.

Its funny, that article came out just days after I posted the query.
Maybe the Cats are closet readers of this forum?

Yes, he was around last season. Took me a while to put a face to a name, and yes, its one skinny dude. The Cats often keep guys around as "Training Players." Muo was kept around as a TP.
I don't think there's any rule against that, nor against paying them. They even wear the corporate uniform, and sometimes like Muo they might be signed as an injury replacement.

Yeah, talking about a "trial" is a bit weird. He was around plenty last season, I'm sure he met everyone then and trialled plenty.

He then returned to play for Waverly, and I saw one source listed him with MU. Glad to know he's still in contention with the Cats.
I have never seen him play, but on paper he would make an interesting addition to the bench.
(Especially if he can hit the 3's like he did in college.)