Well, it's a shed load of money so there's opportunity to build a much more balanced but still high quality team. Can Rillie and Mills do that?? Not so sure.

Didn't they suggest that the Cats go after Kendrick Davis? Presumably the Cats would be able to make a very big offer with Cotton’s money freed up. That would actually give the Cats a PG and a comparable shooter.

As AA said above, gives them a lot money to strengthen elsewhere. If Cotton is naturalised by next season start or maybe even part of it gives them room with the marquee position, pay him little to start and marquee him when naturalised or full season as marquee. The other side is pay as import and scrimp on rest of team or pay a rather large tax at season end. As I said previously, imo you should be able to marquee one import if you're only running with two imports. Again at a guess, imo Gleeson will try and entice him to Japan, now Gleeson coaches at Chiba, a very highly populated metropolis not like Kay who plays for Shimane, a much more rural area and more family friendly, certainly for his family after living in Perth. Also Kay and Cotton would be mates plus they are coached by Paul Henare so that might disrupt Perth and Chiba plans. Chiba also play in the toughest zone, though I believe it’s changing to two zones next season. Finally ex bullets player Perrin Buford has played at Shimane ever since he left Brisbane but they never renewed his contract at end of last season, so maybe they are already in contact with Cotton. Both sides have plenty coin, Chiba probably the wealthiest in Japan.

Cotton ain't getting naturalised

They will have to replace him...

Perth will have a ton of money to spend if Cotton leaves could upgrade import 2/3 or upgrade Webster and/or Pinder.

Perth tears is what happens!!

I can't wait.

Need to launch a save Bc fund. Cotton is more than a player he is an institution icon of the game. Nbl relies on the credibility BC brings to league. Excitement excellent engery skill level that is next gen. Can't just idly sit back and potentially lose greatest player. Basketball fans unite. Keep Bryce.

Need to launch a save Bc fund. Cotton is more than a player he is an institution icon of the game. Nbl relies on the credibility BC brings to league. Excitement excellent engery skill level that is next gen. Can't just idly sit back and potentially lose greatest player. Basketball fans unite. Keep Bryce.

I'm not rillie fussed if he leaves.

Dotman, you make a lot of sense.

Could something like this work?

BA or NBL tip in a sizeable amount towards future contracts between Cotton and NBL teams. Say $250,000 to 500,000. Now, anyone who wants to recruit him has a bank to start with.

That way, we may be able to equal or out-bid those pesky Asians and Euro's. The national bodies (BA & NBL) can't be accused of any (team) bias. Only of "person" bias, and if any one deserves it, BC probably does.

Further, to my above, BA or NBL could raise their contribution through a levy on all clubs. Everyone pays something towards the scheme (knowing only one ??? will benefit from it).

And, something similar for wanted Aussie stars currently O/S.

A BC fund?

Hahahahhaha

If you believe the marketplace it sounds like Keanu and Bryce are both out. How much of the salary spend does that free up from this season? Half - $2m~?

They work for the NBL they're paid to generate discussion. They know Perth fans are rabid so if they say there's a chance Cotton might leave Cats fans hit the panic button.

Cotton's been here 9 seasons he does this every time his contract is up for renewal. He's threatening to leave so as to squeeze every last dollar out of this new Cats owner. He's not silly enough to leave where ever he went he would just be another random import and with everything that comes with that, no team built around him, not the man on the team, potential to be cut etc.

Too true, Zodiac.

However, all the NBL and LK care about is the $$$, so I would expect them to cave in rather than call his bluff.

It might actually be healthier for Perth if he did leave, so that they could build a better TEAM under a better coach.

As for a BC fund ... who will any such fund be for the following season? And the one after that?

I love the lateral thinking, but it would be dangerous to go there - crowd-funding players' salaries? Yeah, nah.

Oh I agree even though I think there's not much chance Cotton leaves, given he's an import and not naturalising so therefore can't be marqueed, I think Perth might actually be better off if he did leave.

Agreed Zodiac, if he's not a marquee, as you have said previously, pay what he wants and pay the tax or let him walk.