Add

Ducas
Kay

Nab big sauce from phoenix if hes available

I think Manek has shown enough to warrant another contract if he can improve his defence. If Wagstaff goes at the end of the season as expected, we need a deadly 3 pt shot and he has it. Earlier this season I was shipping him out but I have grown to like him. Plus this is all on the condition if BC gets naturalised.
I like Thomas but he is too short for the C position. We need more bulk in there. More intimidation.
Harris deserves to get promoted.
Majok needs to go.
Blanchfield and Norton are unfortunately contracted.
OHB will no doubt stay rookie listed if he doesnt want to go home.
Zunic needs to get Nortons position.

So

BC
C Webster
Import
Manek
Import

Travers
T Webster
Harris
Zunic
(Unfortunately Blanchfield & Norton)

Beat me to it.

I was thinking the same thing. Kay in for Manek would make them equal title favorites at least. I'd keep Thomas as his best is very good but if big sauce was available that would be even better

I'd be keeping my eyes on Brisbane and their big fellas and try and get Gak or even Harrison to replace Majok.

I still believe in Norton and Blanchfield because what other option do you have than to try and reinstall their confidence by showing confidence in them... at worst they are still handy for 5 fouls.

Nick Kay; yes please

Wagstaff retiring; yes please

Webster
Cotton
Import
Kay
Reath

Norton
Webster
Blanchfield/Ducas
Import/Bowen(dp)
Next Star/Hayes-Brown(dp)

Weedy Slug do you think Travers will go the G League route? Another NBL team?

Aussie, no and no imo

He seems to suit a G-league style of game, but I think he's gone backwards a lot over the season so is unlikely to get a call-up.

As for another team, I think he’s likely to stay because he fits in and is one of the key players already in Perth. I don’t see what he’d gain anywhere else apart from money and the chance to play in a more suitable position, I can’t see him being good enough to be a franchise player anywhere else, and can’t see any other team throwing buckets of moolah his way after the Sixers’ MM experience.


I hope he gets back to the player he was when he was drafted, as I think he has a load of potential and is quite exciting to watch when he’s up and running.

Thanks. Weedy Slug usually has good insight, so I was curious to know why he has left him off Perth's team for next season?

@proud - if you want Harrison, you can have him.

Gak - nah, I doubt Sam will let him go.

I think people have too high expectations for what they expected from Travers.
Think about levels of play from recent call ups like Keifer Sykes, Jack White etc.
Travers has performed to a similar standard, Travers was a vital part of how Perth beat Sydney the other night.
He'll get the call up, probably on a 2-way deal, but he’ll be on an NBA court next season.

Weedy, Perth cannot have that combo unless they are going to blow past the cap.

No team is going to have 3 imports and 2 Marquee players. Reath won't play for shit money. And have a NS.

Can see the Melbourne teams maybe making a play for Travers, and what was his relationship with Roth like? He wouldn't be showcased in Tassie, but in their short history have been able to improve players, in his case make him the multi dimensional player the NBA would want.
If Hawks are still around, might grab the money and try to become the top option. Depending on cost he actually might fit with Froling and some decent imports.
I think he would avoid Adelaide like the plague even if they made him a big offer.
And could he become a Cooks like player for Kings. Not as good a rebounder etc, but could surround him with shooters and let him play point forward. And would increase profile.

Back to wildcats, Webster's and Cotton are similar and are potent offensively. Manek was probably signed on the assumption an import spot would open up and signing someone else late after overseas cuts. Capable of providing a stretch big, but doesn't fill other glaring needs. Blanchfield, Steindl and Gliddon are really hanging based on previous experience, could nearly interchange any of them. So Blanchfield will stay, but should play a role like Gliddon, only appearing when it's an emergency.

No team is going to have 3 imports and 2 Marquee players.

I suggest that 1 or 2 of you may need to Check out LT stats over the last 4 years. Apart from rebounding 5.1 asa against last year 5.4 he is up. Way more of a threat from 3 now making 38.3% up from 25% last season. If he keeps improving and plays Summer league don't think we will see him back here next year.

Cotton should be aussie which changes things big time.
That's 2 imports, 1 ns
Big money for Kay and Reath
Could move blanch on, keep travers and rely more on cheaper Ducas.

Cotton should be aussie

https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-wildcats/prominent-migration-lawyers-criticise-federal-government-as-perth-wildcat-bryce-cotton-waits-for-citizenship-c-9497316

I think he will be aussie between 23 WC and sometime next season.

Good article - even the migration experts are frustrated. What an absolute farce.

T. Webster/Norton/Zunic
Cotton/C.Webster/Harris(DP)
Import/Blanchfield/Ducas(DP)
Kay/Vague/Bowen(DP)
Import/Brandt

People who make comments like "he WILL be in the league next season..."
Ok Mr Expert.
If Travers he not been drafted, people wouldn't have such high expectations of him. He’s very handy and I hope he is in Perth next year.

@Weedy Slug, how you going to “move on Blanch” ?

Would you guys keep Rillie? To me he has been underwhelming.

He has done more to undo Wildcats basketball than ScoMo. I have never seen them get beaten on rebounds so much, Greg Hire would probably lead this team in RPG.

Their defence is just awful, its a lay up drill for the opposition. Their defensive efficiency is 117, thats worse than ADELAIDE, in fact dead last in the league. Daniel Johnson would blush at how bad this defence is.

Get rid of :
- Rillie
- Manek
- Thomas
- Majok

The dilemma here are the Websters, Corey is playing very well and the Wildcats are barely holding onto a play in spot. He ad his brother will only regress from here due to age.

The most sure fix is bringing back Kay and Gleeson but thats very unlikely.

Worst defense?
Yes.
But they also have the leagues best offense by 3.4 points per 100 possessions.

All things considered, it's safe to say John Rillie is safe. He’s done a great job turning their season around and finding a way to make their roster work.

Kay and Vague mentioned here a bit are they out of contract and available for next season?

Vague is a bench player at tops, he's earning a lot more than Perth can pay him or would want to, Kay could be a marquee, remembering that Cotton naturalised makes him marquee one, Kay marquee two and then only allows for two imports. I’m not certain the second marquee would be enough for Kay either.

Obviously the above is only if you don't want to go over the salary cap to much to avoid the tax. Technically speaking you can pay what ever but pay the tax to the league to make other clubs stronger.

Would you guys keep Rillie?

To me he has been underwhelming.

If we can get a big like Mooney who eats rebounds and can shoot from anywhere then we will look so different. I know Mooney wont be back but a player like him.
Rillie has done well making some hard decisions however next season will be the defining season.
Gak for Majok would be a good replacement.
Apart from some suss handles Travers has impressed me this season in his role. Alot more reliable shot. He is not a NBA player yet but his development is going well imo.

It's obviously all about the 5 spot. Get that right and they'll be contenders instantly.

Kay to Perth is no guarantee? Tassie with Scott Roth connection will be a legitimate option for him

I like Thomas, does the dirty work, I'd keep Thomas before Manek

I had to edit the above table manually since Tai Webster's signing hasn't been added to the database yet and Cotton is listed as a Hawks player inverted with Tyler Harvey. The latter is one scary thought.

All credit to Spatial Jam's NBL Contract Tracker.