Very very interesting.

The Bullets take imports from the Taipans so I'd like to see him end up in Cairns

Cairns expected to re-sign Jawai though.

Hopefully Illawarra

This is odd, quality bigs like Bairstow don't grow on trees.

Even if they got Lamar Patterson back the front court right now is Lamar, Mika and Matty, unless they have a plan for a gun import.

Wherever he goes, he will go there very slowly.

Interesting decision - can those who watch him every game comment on why the Bullets would let him walk? Is it more a money thing? Or is he just too slow defensively or something?

Is this a joke?

Bear was solid last season. Yeah he's a slow dude, but he was reliable for a good 20-25 minutes.

Legit Brisbane product too.

Bullets making it harder for locals to support them.

Where's Jick?

Bairstow showed glimpses this season of his best form but there was a few to many games where in clutch situations he fumbled the ball ( that one game where he missed a wide open layup from inside the circle to win the game for the Bullets)

As a Bullets fan I am sad to see him go but excited at the possibility of a gun import being brought in!

He could be worth a look for Adelaide. They could take a punt that he will be better in his second season after surgery. Would depend on how much he wants to be paid though and also if he would be satisfied competing for minutes with Froling?

Did t hey say they are not resigning him? or that they are just not taking up the team option? Might be he is indeed coming back - just on a different payscale that the option was set at?

I'm eagerly awaiting special comments from our resident expert Jick.

Wherever he goes, he will go there very slowly.

His conditioning was really the only thing holding him back for most of 2018-19. Great for 15-20 mins then drops off. A healthy offseason staying in shape and improving his cardio and he could be one of the top locals in the comp. Kind of wondering (hoping?) if the Kings are looking at him. I think Bogut/Bairstow can work with someone like Kennedy at the 3 spot who can swing down to the 4 spot as well.

Jick's word is THE word on all things Bairstow

"Adelaide would be up and back while Bairstow would still be in the key. I don't see it but stranger things have happened."

You're living in the past anonymous. The Sixers have lost most of their speed with Creek, Childress and now Sobey all moving on.

Given that the Sixers only have one import slot left and will probably use it on a point guard, Bairstow might be the only option out there for the Sixers to try to bolster their rebounding and interior defence. I’d much rather start a fully fit Bairstow next to DJ than Wiley.

Come to Cairns Cam!!

So Brisbane seems to have elite scoring guards but now no big who can create their own shot or who has any meaningful jump shot or post moves.

I'd enjoy seeing him as Angus Brandt's replacement in Perth, 15-20 minutes will be good enough with back ups in Vague, Jervis and Kay.

But I'd be happy for him to join Nate up in Cairns although they may fill the key way too much just by themselves

Did t hey say they are not resigning him? or that they are just not taking up the team option? Might be he is indeed coming back - just on a different payscale that the option was set at?

I didn't see this thread before, possibly because I was too angry when I heard the news.

As I said in another thread though: F Brisbane for doing this. It's bad karma and as Ben says above, an absolute joke. Who do the Bullets think they are?? Hope he goes to another team and destroys them.

When did he sign this contract? Before or after his injury?

Meh, seems to be a bit of this going on. Allows agents to test the waters.
Since this contract was apparently signed when he was injured and hadn't played for two seasons, it may have been for not much. Who knows...

Look, at Perth you have Damo, Wagstaff, Jervis, and Steindl all "Free Agents". Nobody's suggesting the Cats aren't in serious talks with most of those guys. But they're not rushing to lock them in.
As we have seen in the past, even having a contract isn't an impediment if the club agrees. I guess the teams are run by coaches and not lawyers.

There's really no point Brissy locking Bairstow in with an option, if say SEM comes along with a better offer.

I was never completely clear on this, but wasn't that the problem with Creek? Adelaide (claimed to have) exercise their option, but Creek felt he was worth more so went to Europe (and then NBA)?

Is Bairstow's brother still a DP?

Classic Jick, that's what we wanted to see

Smh man this is disgusting! I'll be endeavouring to get a message to the big fella to let him know all true basketball fans support him.

Cameron Bairstow surprised at Bullets decision not to take his option

Brayden Heslehurst, South-East Advertiser

March 30, 2019 12:03pm

Cameron Bairstow has been left shocked and surprised after the Brisbane Bullets decided not to extend his contract for another season.

The Bullets had a club option on the former NBA power forward's contract for next season but informed him during the week they would not be taking it, making Bairstow a free agent.

Brisbane are reportedly in pursuit of free agent guard Nathan Sobey as well as wanting to re-sign star import Lamar Patterson with general manager Richard Clarke telling the Courier Mail the club could not commit to Bairstow and teammate Adam Gibson at this point.

In his return to the court after more than 18 months out with a knee injury, Bairstow averaged 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during the 2018-19 season and shot the ball at 45 per cent from beyond the arc to help the Bullets reach the playoffs.

There is still the possibility of negotiating a new contract during the free agency period, which starts Monday, but Bairstow all but ruled out returning to the club.

"It (the decision) was a little surprising as I thought the team was heading in the right direction and that my play had continued to trend upward as the season progressed," Bairstow said.

“But they are keen on a few free agents and prioritised going after them, which is part of the business.”

Leaving the Bullets is not easy for Bairstow, who grew up in Brisbane and played for the Brisbane Capitals and South West Metro Pirates as well as attending Churchie.

“Obviously I’m very passionate about Brisbane basketball and always will be so just having the team back is awesome,” Bairstow said.

“Playing for Brisbane was a dream come true as a kid that grew up here and I hope that they can continue the success we have had this season and continue to grow basketball in Brisbane.”

Greg Davis

DISAPPOINTED and surprised.

That was Cameron Bairstow's reaction to the Brisbane Bullets declining the option with his contract to catapult the Rio Olympian and former Chicago Bulls forward onto the NBL’s free agency list.

But Bairstow, 28, is philosophical about being the victim of a salary cap squeeze at the club he supported growing up in Brisbane.

After being part of the cut and thrust of the NBA, he knows that being on the wrong side of business decisions is par for the course as a professional basketballer.

Cam Bairstow at Brisbane Bullets training last season.

With Brisbane pursuing star import Lamar Patterson again and the Bullets reportedly in the box seat to snare free agent Nathan Sobey, both Bairstow and Adam Gibson were not immediately offered contract extensions.

"As you progress in your career, you realise it’s a business. That’s what we sign up for,’’ Bairstow told the Sunday Mail.

“It’s disappointing when it doesn’t work out with the team you are at and the team you enjoyed being a part of.

“But I get that teams are trying to win as many games as possible. I get that it is a bit of a jigsaw that they are trying to fit together as best they can.

“I was still surprised. I thought the team and myself took a good step forward last season and I was looking forward to coming back even better next season as I continue to get my body right.

“But they were not willing to commit right now with the money they have available. They are going after some players in free agency so others fall by the wayside, I suppose.

“It’s kind of tough but it’s a business and you move on

Bairstow - who averaged 11.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season when the Bullets made the play-offs – is assessing his options which include staying in the NBL or heading to Europe.