The good thing is if Penney gets an NBA gig there will be a spare import spot and good money available.

I'd take Penney over any import bar Shaq lol.

Is Abercrombie not an option at SF as well? I thought the Breakers might consider starting Abercrombie alongside Penney and CJ next season?

You have listed 8 players there and if you add Rickert thats 9, so isn't there only room for one import in that case? Or will Webster or Pledger find themselves bumped from the game night roster?

Any ideas what big men NZ should chase? Tough to get quality big man imports, maybe go after Schenscher, Burston, Allen or Nevill instead?

Schenscher is only rated in Adelaide. He is soft and slow.
You are right about Abercrombie playing at SF, I over looked him. Webster may find himself bumped as we are deep in his position and Penney may go back to SG and Cj @ PG and Abercrombie/Vukona @ SF Rickert @ PF and and Import @ C with Pledger as backup off the bench.
In saying that we'll prob get another import guard who can sit outside with everyone else and chuck up 3's

Bruton/Henare
Penney/Webster
Abercrombie/import
Vukona/Boucher
Rickert/Pledger

They could just go with something like that. Or split the SF minutes with Tom and Mika (and some Boucher) and get a PF import.

I think if Rickert gets his residency sorted he will be signed asap. Can't be to far away I hope.

Fantastic signing.
With Boucher, Mika will give us one of the most effective benches in the league. Toughen up the D and hit the boards. He must cost a bit though? Can we afford imports?

Would Mika go back there to come off the bench? I wondered if he might get the start over Boucher, depending on what they do with the import spots?

Yeah I'd say Mika will get the start over Boucher. Be interesting to see which way they go on the Import

A Sean Lampley type would be a good fit I think. I like the idea of moving CJ back to PG and Abercrombie starting.

CJ and Penney are franchise players and must command import size contracts. Mika must have high non import value.
Henare,Webster and maybe Abercrombie must be on peanuts. Boucher,Pledger midrange value.
Rickert regardless of residency will surely get more than last year.
How much could we pay an import or maybe even two?

Cj/Henare
Penney/Webster
Abercrombie/Boucher
Vukona/Import
Rickert/Pledger

I would guess it's gonna go something like that?
Breakers need to get Rickert signed asap.

Lindsay Tait is not what the Breakers need. Webster has been putting up good numbers in the NZBL and as I have stated in previous threads, no point having a development program if you aren't ever gonna give them a shot to step up.

Webster has huge potential, would be silly to get rid of him now. This kid could be a star.

I agree Paul. Just read in NZ Herald that talks with Rick Rickert have stalled since the signing of Vukona.


From NZ HERALD online today

Rick Rickert's time at the Breakers could be over.

Contract talks between Rickert and the Australian NBL club have broken down, following the Breakers decision to give a local spot on the roster to Mika Vukona.

Rickert is working on becoming a New Zealand resident and had hoped to be considered a local. He says it is disappointing, but he is now looking elsewhere.

"You never want to close the door on anything, but I don't get the sense that they're looking for me to be an import next year."

Rickert says he will be looking at all his options but is positive he will be staying in the ANBL.

- NEWSTALK ZB

They can't rely on Pledger to do all the work in the paint. They have already let Trueman talk to other clubs, I will be gutted if they do the same with Rickert. He has played his guts out for the Breakers and always contributes well on the court.

Very risky. While Rickert isnt a star he is very solid and a new import big will be a gamble given how tough this league can be on big guys.

Will be a great pick up as a local or soon to be local for someone though. Townsville, Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast and Wollongong would all benefit from his presence.