There have since been announcements from Cairns and the NBL about a confirmed deal - 3 years.

Wow, That might be a risk by Cairns. I would not have thought that Jawai had three years left in him? He turns 30 before the next season starts and his body type does not seem conducive to a long career into his 30's.

XY, he may not be able to play that long due to health issues but barring that I would think he will be fine.

Either way, at least Cairns have guaranteed that if he can, it will be for them.

I think it will prove to be a win/win on many counts...

Cairns have a very ageing front court.

Top bloke, great player all the best to him and cairns. Did an amazing job at his time in Perth, no one can judge a person on his weight?

There may be medical reasons he can't drop the weight, it's not always because you indulge in food.

It's a bit boring to hear about his weight, if he is happy that's all that matters.

Look forward to see him in the jungle. Nice tweet from the cats, thanking him for last season.

Jawai's weight isn't the issue. It's how his whole body can cope with an entire season without a Knight and Jervis relieving him of minutes.

Jawai is a great asset. But requires a lot of management.

Will this aged creaking front court be the most fouling in the League.
Ever?
Unless Fearne seals the perimeter with subsequent signings, what else can they do?
A re-run of Markel Starks would guarantee it. [All the wonderful speed and no ball pressure.]
United et al will revel.

It sure is a big, heavy, old front line for the Snakes. They desperately need a gun point guard and smalll forward from their import selections.

Perhaps they'll find a mobile big guy who can defend the perimeter for their 11th signing. Also, look for Fearne to play some small ball with:

Import PG
McCarron
Gliddon
Weigh/Worthington
Loughton/Worthington, or

Weeks
Gliddon
Import SF
Weigh/Worthington
Loughton/Worthington

Fearne is probably the only man on the planet capable of getting Nate to frop the 10-15kgs he really needs to drop in order to play his best basketball.

What I thought was funny about the deal is that there's an NBA/Europe out-clause for Nate!

We never really get to know the full story, but perhaps the length was the deal-breaker with Perth?
They were possibly offering better money, but only on a year by year basis. 3 years will give him some security.

His time in Perth retrospectively couldn't have turned out any better, he played most of the season and despite back soreness he still helped win a title.

Cairns are a big old frontline and if I was a young big then I'd try and make my way up to Cairns as a pre season training player and you may get 11th spot... They certainly need a youngster that they can teach and give their undeniable insight to.

Good luck to Cairns, I think they will be fun to watch with Wortho, Nate, McCarron and Gliddon... If Weigh can knock down his perimeter shots then they become very formidable and that's not to mention Trigger's inside game or the unfulfilled talent of Loughton and the imports to come.

... They should have high ambitions this season

As part of the deal securing his return, Jawai will assume the role of ambassador for the Cairns Taipans Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Initiative, an expansion of the club's existing Sea Swift Taipans Indigenous Programme, in conjunction with the Queensland Government.

http://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/bamagas-nathan-jawai-to-return-to-cairns-taipans/news-story/f8f39b0c94f07e7d3b86d89b7ca88989

So reading between the lines Cairns secured funding from the government for this? Was this a reason Cairns was able to afford him??

Certainly looks like it. Good luck to him but makes a bit more sense now given what he was on at the Wildcats and the Taipans not exactly swimming in money.