Win-win for all parties?

Time to get another Usher reference in before he leaves.

♫ This is what you do
This is what you do
This is what you do

You make me wanna leave the one I'm with
Start a new relationship with you
This is what you do

You make me
You make me ♫

Source for this rumour??

I very much doubt he'd have a mid-season clause for Europe, but I reckon the Wildcats would pack his bags for him and drive him to the airport!

"Source for this rumour??"

Saw it on an article from The Western Australian. Had a paywall so couldn't read it.

Also saw some references to him and Panathinaikos on Twitter/ X but they were not in English.

Perthworld, you're so deeply into Jordan Usher that you'd leave the Wildcats and start following his new team in Greece?

Most I can get from the article:

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has dismissed speculation that Greek club Panathinaikos is attempting to recruit import Jordan Usher, saying it is nothing more than a rumour.

European media reported Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman is keen to sign Usher as a replacement for injured former NBA big man Juan Hernangomez.

I say keep him. If he is able to continue to adapt as an individual as the team has over the last couple of games then his talent is well and truly an asset. A few fumbly passes and 2 missed free throws last game dont overshadow the rest of what he was able to do imo, plus who else are you going to get?

While not the exact same role cats tried to sign WMW and hes not exactly blowing up for NZ atm. He'd be on the arse end of all this vitriol if he was in Ushers spot right now doing the same thing. Give em time

Of course if Usher has a stinker tonight I might retract the above.

Perthworld, you're so deeply into Jordan Usher that you'd leave the Wildcats and start following his new team in Greece?

Most I can get from the article:

Abracadabra, hocus pocus, open sesame...

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has dismissed speculation that Greek club Panathinaikos is attempting to recruit import Jordan Usher, saying it is nothing more than a rumour.

European media reported Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman is keen to sign Usher as a replacement for injured former NBA big man Juan Hernangomez.

Ataman coached against Usher in Turkey last season and the Wildcats forward scored 24 points against him in April.

But Rillie said there had been no contact between the teams.

"We're not in the business of dealing with rumours. It’s strictly a rumour," Rillie said.

“I’ve played in Greece so I know how that community operates in the sporting atmosphere.”

It is understood Wildcats players don’t have clauses in their contracts that would allow them to walk out for deals in Europe.

Usher was at Wildcats training on Thursday and Rillie said he’d checked to see if he was handling the increased focus.

“I’m always making sure all of our players are getting communicated with and making sure life is good because if your life is good, basketball then becomes good as well,” Rillie said.

“They’re rumours so that happens in any sport. There’s lots of speculation and rumour.”

The news from Greece came just days after Usher was moved out of the starting line-up. He responded with 17 points against Adelaide and 12 points against Melbourne United as the Wildcats won both games.

Rillie said Usher had handled the change of role with the right attitude.

“He responded very well,” he said.

“He knew what was going on last week. He responded well in practice and then our saw the results in the game both for himself and our team.”

The Wildcats will attempt to extend their winning run against New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena on Friday night.

The Breakers are 2-5 but their record includes a three-point loss to South East Melbourne and a two-point defeat from Sydney in the last two rounds.

Rillie said his team must remain vigilant.

“They’re going to come fired up,” he said.

“Their record is 2-5 but I told the team, take us seven days ago and we were in a similar situation where the record does not reflect who they are.

“Their points differential is 1.5 per game. So they’re right there. If you just look at their record and go 'that’s who they are, they’re 2-5’ it will be a long night.

“We had a great weekend winning two games. But we are 4-5. That’s where none of us want to be. We have to keep trending in the right direction with the way we’re playing.”

If it was true the Greek club would have to buy out Usher's contract if the cats were not going to release him.

The 3/4 swing players are probably the biggest group of imports you can find, hard to replace 4/5 men imports. So Usher would be replaceable a lot more easy if it went that way.

Main issue is disruption, brining a new guy in , running through plays etc.. When they brought Cotton in though it was immediate success.

Good that NBL clubs do not give Euro out clauses. NBA should be the only exception.

Very suspicious this 'rumour' comes out after his first game out of the starting lineup. I dare say he's not happy about coming off of the bench and his agent leaks this rumour in the hope the Wildcats release him.

Ballman, Euro out clauses usually have to be exercised by a certain date, such as June 30 or July 31 to give teams time to find a replacement.

I wouldn't be surprised if Perth have been looking for a replacement and are open to releasing Usher. He reminds me of Jaron Johnson, the guy Bryce replaced. The talent is there, but mentally he makes so many mistakes that hurt the team.

Johnson has gone on to have a good career in Europe. Usher can obviously do that too, but I think Perth need a higher IQ player who can contribute more consistently.

I don't get the angst for usher that you cats supporters have... to me he seems decent albeit a but erratic

He's def not your biggest issue!

@ Zodiac - agree, likely agent leak

Or his agent wants Wildcats to be so desperate to keep him that they put him back in the starting 5, which makes him more marketable.

I agree with your thoughts, Zodiac - too predictable and coincidental.

As a non-Perth supporter, I hope he stays!

Maybe Perth can throw in a Webster brother or 2 to sweeten the deal!

Totally agree with Zodiac, he's not even a like for like replacement, his agent just stirring pot and is probably mates with Panathinaikos to get a bit substance to the rumour. If I’m Perth I’m taking him to the airport.

The main reason he is on the bench was due to his own subpar performances after game 1 with massive -negative +/- for many of those games.

Look at Rajon Tucker last year, started bad with Melbourne but by the end of the season was a top tier import having worked his way back into form. That shows character and commitment.

I wouldn't shed a tear if he left.

If I'm Perth I’m taking him to the airport.