Not good for NZ having a disgruntled player on the team.
If Webster did go are they better off upgrading Henry with a gun import and signing a young local.

Webster will just chill and not work/turn up if you don't let him walk.

The Breakers thou will need the cash to upgrade the roster so understand why they are standing firm on this one.

This is just negotiating via the media. The Breakers will end up taking a lot less than $250k as they know what a disruptive influence Webster can be.

He must've got a few offers after his World Cup performances which seemed much better than his recent NBL seasons on paper.

I'd take the $150k. Cut the weakest import. Throw the Rusbatch guy into the roster on minimum and then get a strong import with (150+coreysalary+weakimport-minRusbatch).

"This is very different from the Creek Vs 36ers beef."

Why is this different from the Creek situation? 36ers wanted money, NZ wants money. Only difference is it looks like 36ers didn't have a contract in place to warrant the money.

It is a common practice in Europe.

"He will move on, as the money he is on in NZ is the same as the Turkish offer anyway."

No its not.

He's literally said in an open interview last week that the offer in Turkey was "way more" than what he is currently on (which I was shocked he said).

I don't think any player in their right mind would openly say that if it weren't true. Players dont want to be seen to be money-hunrgy so can't imagine they'd make it up.

I'd suggest its significantly more than double what he is on here.

"MacDub, the NBL is a 6month season as opposed to 9/10 months. Per game, his NZ contract is actually more. Secondly, he can get great money in a place like China at the conclusion of the NBL season"

Then why would he offer to pay $100k USD out of his own pocket to secure the buyout. Because that's what he did.

Also, the NBL is not a 6 month season.

By the time they have to report for pre-season (unless on national duties) to the end of season finish date, it would be more like 9 months.

It's from July/August to end of March roughly from what I know/see.

They've already signed Rusbatch as a NRP whatever that is, non-rostered player?

They spending a heap of money on RJ Hampton who will add no value to actual performances come the season so perhaps cut him and load up on a gun import.

From Twitter:

Tom Abercrombie out for up to three weeks for the Breakers with a quad tear. Ethan Rusbatch promoted to the full-time squad for the season now. IF Webster was to go (big if), Rusbatch would be the guy who would essentially replace him.

The nbl pay for hampton. The breakers simply footbthe bill for accom etc.

NBL won't let a next star player go.

The Breakers are such a mess. Webster effectively killed their season last season with his disinterested play and he's looking like he's going to do it again.

I don't know. I think he's giving them a pretty good out here. Take the $150k and be happy, IMO.

I reckon this is more Webster's agent than Webster himself.

What are the Breakers doing?

For the sake of $125k they are willing to jeopardise the whole season?

Let Webster go, get 12 guys on the Roster who are hungry and want to be there.

They spending a heap of money on RJ Hampton who will add no value to actual performances come the season so perhaps cut him and load up on a gun import.

"Hampton takes up.... a tiny amount of the budget"

This is if you believe the NBL line from a year ago about the Next Stars all being paid $100k directly from the league. They haven't said that this is no longer the case, but they haven't really reiterated that is how the program works either, which considering the other changes to the program (which went un reported until it was unavoidable to report) I would be very unsurprised if this hasn't also changed.

There was a lot of speculation about what Hampton (and later Melo) was getting as part of his deal with figures of up to 500k quoted. Considering one of the Next Stars is also a draftee, who tend to be able to command good contracts OS, I would be surprised if none of them are getting more than $100k and that the team's aren't paying the overs.

Cram

Agreed, but we can't ignore the third party payments from clothing etc sponsors. Remember the under armour (?) deal of Fergusen? Would a sponsor pay more money to a player in an emerging market (eg China) or an English speaking market? I’m not sure. But a league perceived as challenging, but still with opportunities for minutes and highlights, would definitely appeal. I think both Fergusen (pre next star) and Bowen had that environment, allowing them to build highlights reels for scouts and gain exposure in English language YouTube hits.

Olgun:

The relationship between Webster and Breakers owner, Matt Walsh, has been mended, according to people with knowledge of the situation, so that shouldn't be an issue.