Cairns unfortunately I feel shot themselves in the foot with their recruiting last season.
They should have known that Loughton was near the end, so signing more oldies was a questionable move.
They're now stuck trying to fill even more places, in a very tight market. And unfortunately SEM seem to be focussing on a lot of existing talent.

Cairns really must work on a Next Star prospect. If they can get a half decent young buck, paid for by the league, that's going to be a good bonus for them.

Assuming they can get hold of some of this equalisation cash, I'd love to see them make an offer for Bairstow. Even if it means going cheap elsewhere, try to lock in one good quality local marquee player.

Deng is a good pick up don't think I would want him starting.
Cairns need either Bairstow or help from the NBL to ensure they get a high level next star or both.

Unfortunately the roster would more likely look like:

PG - Import*/Kenny/Adnam?
SG - Newbill*/Kuanny
SF - Import*/Jurlina
PF - Moller?/Deng
C - Jawai/Young?/Froling?

Could Froling come under the Next Stars program? Or is it specifically for Americans?

Sam Froling would be an exciting pickup for the snakes.

Cairns unfortunately I feel shot themselves in the foot with their recruiting last season.
They should have known that Loughton was near the end, so signing more oldies was a questionable move.

Cairns did a good job of trying to use Nate last season. He was in better shape but the modern game looks to have passed him by. Big presence in the post but somewhat ineffective. More fouls than rebounds in his current stint in France not playing a lot probably because he cant defend. Wish it was different for him.

Moller isn't going to Cairns.

Manu, how comfortable would you really be having Deng as your starting four man? I think he's a very good impact player coming off the bench, but if he's playing extended minutes up front I think he'd get outplayed against the league's better big men.

Spartans QBL coach has said WMW is joining them in-season, looking at the draw you won't get to see him up there though.

I'd be interested to know what his plans are. Only played 7 games in Germany's B Grade for averages of 10/4/5/2 (20% 3pt btw). 5 games in top grade, minimal playing time. Wonder if he'll go through the Combine workouts then pull out again. Seems like the NBA dream is dust for now, a shame as he was a projected second round pick a few years ago.

If Moller isn't going to Cairns where do you think he will go Anon?

Ben, not a huge fan but not averse either. I just see that the club dug itself a hole last year signing either poor talent or old players and need to fill a bunch of spots in a market with little Aussie talent. Short of Bairstow, I can't see anyone being better than Deng. Hope I'm wrong and there is someone over in Europe.

Also, what's the latest of WMW. Is he up to it?

If the NBL gave us

Us is everyone bar 36ers and Perth

Happy to win the services of Sam Froling. Young Australian talent, gee haven't seen that in a while

Sounds like Moller is going to get overpaid by someone.

Moller is not that good. He is like a box of chips that fills you up but when you're finished you’re like yean that was alright I suppose.

I fear that a team like Cairns who is in desperate need of production overpays for Moller, only to get burnt.

Cool dude and all, but where does his value lie? Played about 11 minutes a game during the season for 4pts and 3rebs, barely any blocks/dimes/assists. Shooting clips a little below average and United clipped his playing time in the finals (telling sign).

Maybe best for 5 minutes or so a half getting a few hustle plays. I don't see any magical improvement if he’s gifted increased playing time.

Not hating on the dude, I’m just going on what’s before me and I think a few people need to temper their fandom.

Moller is not great nor is he terrible.

I don't rate him but he can contest shots, get up and down the court and hustle.

Cairns isn't where you go to get paid, you are there for minutes.

If their imports are going to be a mix of Jerry Evans Jnr, Devon Hall and Nanna Egwu, he should get 20 mpg.

Cairns has a brilliant import in Trimble, A decent one in Newbil, and an ok one (for Cairns) and they still sucked.

I don't know if they are getting equalisation money, or how much they are getting, but the simple reality is that either they have to do something, or accept being perpetual spooners.

I'm all for taking a gamble and looking for diamonds in the rough, but you don't do that by hiring passed-over scrubs and expecting them to be starters.

People keep talking about "lack of minutes" but I think you have cause & effect backwards. Sure, not everyone can play 30 minute, but generally speaking if you play better, you get more minutes. These aren't juniors lacking games. Guys like Moller don't suddenly become starting material because you through them into the line-up. If anything, the reverse is true.

Cairns must somehow find the coin to hire decent locals. Failing that (and obviously there aren't that many available) they need to look at guys coming back from college, or try to find guys who are finishing careers in Europe.