I'm just waiting for the "Members First" email, that will tell us what is happening, 24 hours after it was published by the media.

It's a tough call, I'm not sure what to think, simply because the timing sucks.

If they'd done this a few weeks back, I'd have said we should let him go, don't stand in the way of his dream, even if its a long-shot.
In all honestly, I probably would have laughed, and asked if JJ was still around.

But the timing does suck. It means the NBA team doesn't care (or know enough to care) about his current commitment. Yes, its the NBA, and everything else does pale into insignificance, but that kind of American arrogance still really rubs me the wrong way.

I hope that his contract is watertight. I honestly do hope that he gets his NBA chance, and I'd be happy for him to leave, Once we have secured the streak by making the finals. Unfortunately there is simply no way we do it without him.

And I also have to ask, what chance has he really got? He's clearly an excellent player, and would be a star if he stayed in the NBL.
But has he really got NBA potential? He seems to me to be a little small, and a little inaccurate??

What import doesn't have an NBA out clause in their contract?

I don't know? Yes, you'd think they would all have some kind.
But MAYBE they put something that says you can't exercise it after the 75% cut-off??? It would make sense for a team to try and include that. Would imports agree to it???

And who really knows what goes on. Even if he stays, maybe it was his choice???

I guess if he goes, they'll probably explain?

I just find this situation a bit too difficult to believe. Firstly an import not having an NBA out clause. If that is true and given the guy has already played for three teams in the NBA then his agent should be sacked immediately.

Secondly as if an NBL team even Perth would stand in the way of a guy getting a call up to the NBA. Like others have said the damage that would do to that team's reputation and the NBL in general I couldn't see LK allowing that to go on, especially after the other crap the Wildcats have gotten up to this season.

This sounds more like the Wildcats drumming up a bit of interest in the team with their home game going head to head with the BBL final also in Perth.

Ennis had something in place where he was locked in after a certain date. That date was determined so Perth could still have time to replace him and qualify for the finals.
No doubt Perth had something in place that was similar and I have absolutely no problem with that. If he has signed for Perth and that was the condition than why should the club be disadvantaged.

Question is will he crack it if he's not allowed to leave and put up shit for the next 3 weeks? Seems like a pretty good dude but not how I'd react if I was in his position..

What NBA team would possibly care about the nbl!? Nor should they for the money they are generating Dazz, you idiot

I'd be embarrassed if my team got the bad rep for not allowing guys to go to the NBA. Big picture? Don't piss off the NBA or get a bad rep for the entire league over a maybe if making the playoffs.

It would be very Perth to not allow him out of his nbl contract to folllow his dream. Fuckin pathetic

If Cotton goes, can he be replaced with another import? It would seem unfair on Perth if they've paid Cotton a lot of money, will miss finals and receive no compensation in the way of money or replacement.

I just find this situation a bit too difficult to believe. Firstly an import not having an NBA out clause.

If that is true and given the guy has already played for three teams in the NBA then his agent should be sacked immediately.

Secondly as if an NBL team even Perth would stand in the way of a guy getting a call up to the NBA. Like others have said the damage that would do to that team's reputation and the NBL in general I couldn't see LK allowing that to go on,

especially after the other crap the Wildcats have gotten up to this season.

Players need 8 games in the regular season to be eligible for the finals, hence cairns rushing tony Mitchell into the Perth game despite arriving in Australia earlier that day. Anyone they brought in now won't be playing finals basketball.

Lucas Walker, now's your chance Bro!

If Cotton goes, can he be replaced with another import?

Anyone they brought in now won't be playing finals basketball.

Fucking great

Which NBA team is it?

Did the Ten news story report that bit?

As is the case most places around the world, if the NBA team wants to get Cotton out of his contract they'll have to pay for it, and even then I imagine it would have to be a very, very generous offer for Perth to basically sacrifice a playoff spot for it.

I just can't see it happening.

NBA is not aligned with FIBA. Cotton's contract would only be enforceable if he was going to a FIBA league. Perth cant make him stay.

He can also chose to say I will miss every shot and throw the ball away every chance I get if you don't release me.

Dazz on the defensive like a fat guy protecting his pie!

"NBA is not aligned with FIBA."

Mark Tatum, the NBA's deputy commissioner, is on the FIBA Executive. The NBA and FIBA are more closely aligned than ever.

Doesn't mean that a FIBA contract is honoured or acknowledged by the NBA

If he did get offered a 10-day contract, I wonder if he'd take it. If you're in the NBDL on peanuts hoping for the call-up, sure. But he's in a professional league earning big bucks so flying back to play a couple of games and hope to latch on would depend entirely on how big his NBA dream is.

If he did want to go though, it would be a bit of a douche move by Perth not to allow him, IMO, and could affect their ability to lure fringe NBA talent in the future.

If he doesn't take it he will get black balled by the NBA and they will move on to the next

"Doesn't mean that a FIBA contract is honoured or acknowledged by the NBA."

Yes it does. An NBL player can't even train with an NBA club unless they have a clearance, as was the case with Julian Khazzouh and Corey Webster in recent years.

"If he did want to go though, it would be a bit of a douche move by Perth not to allow him, IMO, and could affect their ability to lure fringe NBA talent in the future."

Not at all. Players and their agents understand that most clubs around the world won't let them out of a contract unless they get payment to do so, and/or unless they have an equal or better replacement available.

My sources tell me he's been called up by the Cavs. If you're aware of LBJ's latest media statements you can piece the rest together.

NBL will make a statement soon.

How is this even a discussion?

Perth clearly have him in a secure contract with no out clause.

Saying Perth are doing him dirty by not allowing him to go is ludicrous. Its business. End of story.

The reality is he will still have plenty of time to be offered a meager 10 day contract after the conclusion of the NBL season.

Paul that isn't correct

His staying! Still in with a shot!

You can choose what you want to believe Fundingland.

Both Webster and Khazzouh had to be released from their NBL contracts and given clearance before they could even take part in veterans camp. After they were cut by their NBA clubs they then received clearances and signed new contracts with NZ and Sydney.

Nonsense

American agents cant even have their players sign in Australia without gaining or working with someone who has FIBA accreditation

There is no contractual link between FIBA and the NBA and those that have FIBA contracts are not recognised by USA Basketball and vice versa

You don't need a clearance form the NBA to play in the NBL you need FIBA approval to play in the NBL, 2 very different things

Regardless of which side of this particular argument is correct, contract law is still a thing.

NBA !!! LOL LOL LOL, thats pretty funny. How can an NBA side want him? He not even close to the best guard in the NBL

Offer was Atlanta and has been turned down http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/01/27/wildcat-bryce-cotton-turns-down-nba-offer

Who was the guy early in the season saying that no one would play in the NBL if they were good enough to play in the NBA?

I'd be interested in getting his take on all this.

Honestly, for the money he would get, it's not worth the trip back for just a guarantee of 10 days. Not surprised at all that he turned it down. Better to try in the offseason because you have enough time to latch on elsewhere if you don't make the cut.

Honestly, for the money he would get, it's not worth the trip back for just a guarantee of 10 days.

It's funny, IIRC Ricky Grace once got a 10-day contract (or whatever the equivalent was back then) with the Hawks.

End of the day he's staying, and I guess we'll never know the full truth. Articles' titles say he chose to stay, Gleeson seemed to suggest they didn't let him leave.

As for the contractual questions. Sure, I guess an import could just walk away, breech his contract, and hop a plane home. It would mean never returning to the NBL, and would make it extremely difficult to play anywhere else requiring a FIBA clearance. Even IF the USA overlooks such things, it wouldn't be a smart move for somebody in his situation who is much more likely to play in Europe than the NBA.

As for claiming the NBA will "black list" him, why?
It's true he might not get another offer just depends. If they still like what they see at the end of the season, and they have an opportunity, why not.

Probably even less anon a 10 dayer would be worth around $18k tops. On the road you also get a per diem of around $120 a day.

It's more about the opportunity because one 10 dayer usually leads to a second 10 dayer and then from there a contract for the rest of the season often with an option for next season.

I don't think the money offered for the 10-day contract is relevant. Its about the opportunity. You'd hope it leads to another, then another, then an actual contract.

I really hope there's still openings for him when the Cats' season is finished.
And I hope this inspires him to new levels.

The money is incredibly relevant.

NBA 10 day contract offers will fetch anywhere between $20-$30k.

You don't make that kind of quick money in such a short turnaround anywhere.

No, its not relevant.
Obviously he'd get paid for it, so what.

What's the NBA minimum for a full year contract? IIRC its around half a mil for a rookie, around $900k after 1 year? That's where the big cheese is at, and it only gets better from there if he establishes himself.

Reality is you'd take a 10-day contract for NOTHING if you thought it would lead to something bigger.

Keep in mind that Cotton has already played NBA. He knows how it works.

My understanding is that a given team can only give you 2 10-day contracts, and after that has to sign you or let you go. So maybe he preferred the "bird in the hand" so to speak?

Or maybe the Cats just said no?

"You don't need a clearance form the NBA to play in the NBL you need FIBA approval to play in the NBL, 2 very different things"

Fundingsland, please stop just making things up, the NBA work within the FIBA transfer system.

Here are the BA guidelines that explicitly state NBA players require a clearance.

http://websites.sportstg.com/get_file.cgi?id=3511034

Here is the link to the USAB clearance form from the NBA website.

http://www.nba.com/media/usab/letter_of_clearance.pdf

No, Cotton's day 10 contract offer would be more like $55k - $60k having regard to his 2 odd years experience in the NBA.

If he signs around the time of the ASG for example he could get 13 or 14 days (on a 10 day) or because the team may have only had him for 3 games could easily extend out to 20, hence $55-$60k could easily become $70k or $120k; with the potential to earn the minimum $980k next season.

The $28k odd range is for a rookie.