Very thin on the ground and no coach isn't going to help. That's obviously No.1 priority.

As far as locals, I'm assuming Adnam, Galloway and AHT will have their options taken up. I wouldn't mind Stith either but that seems less likely. Waardenburg appears interested in staying so he'd be a priority re-signing. I'd think Gak will attract interest elsewhere and might chase a bigger pay packet. Antonio might be worth keeping as a 10/11 roster player and it will interesting to see how Stattmann develops into the full roster.

AussieHoopla reporting Groves and Pedro open to staying and I would happily get them both back.

That leaves guard spots to be filled. Armstrong is all but gone along with Edwards, so as usual we need to unearth a gun import to have any decent chance of success.

Coach is No.1 priority. The talk last season of getting Siulepa as a NS would also be a massive help, but I think a lot of that interest came through Forde so I don't know if it's still there.

Would love to see Wardenburg, Groves and Adnan back. Put a gun PG in there, have Adnam run the bench rotation and give the PG a break that's the start of a competitive group. Antonio doesn't offer enough, he's had three years, would rather roll the dice with someone else. Don't think I'm alone in my feelings on him.

Joel Khalu for coach please. Strong links to the community up here, just the right kind of character for Cairns.

Hogg is allegedly interested in returning to the NBL and was sighted in the Cairns crowd through the season. He'd come at the expense of Pedro but I'm not sure we could afford him and go for cheaper PG's. Corey Webster has also been mentioned, but I'm not overly keen to go down that path.

As Forde mentioned in his last presser, the HC does a lot more than just coach at Cairns. It's vital the right person gets appointed there before much else can/will happen, especially around recruitment.

Hogg been playing in Japan, was injured for approx 6 weeks but I highly doubt they would have allowed him to travel to cairns to watch a game. Playing under Gleeson.

Not a matter of doubting. I saw him personally.

Yes, I saw him there too

That might be a good get for Cairns he was very good there last time and likely needs to build his stock after that disappointing season with the Kings and then Japan this season.

Bradshaw is definitely a keeper if possible. One of those players who does everything without making any noise about it. Underrated and preferable to Hogg.

Maybe they could convince Connor Henry to give up his St Peter's gig. Bit of a paycut, but he's had a few years on the sideline to learn about league more. And take Cadee as coach in waiting.
But totally in the dark as to what they do, need to get locals signed first then fill in gaps with imports.

Groves playing in Japan, does well there, it'll be hard to see him returning as money better there.

Pedro in Germany as well.

Interesting that Edwards appears not to have suited up anywhere since he left. Seems strange given that there were apparently contractual reasons for him to depart at such short notice.

Edwards is in China.

Edwards playing CBA. Stats and link here.

https://x.com/SuperCoachPleb/status/1891613672981569654

Rightio, thanks.

I thought he'd gone to China but the site I was looking at had nothing for him after his last Cairns game.

Taran Armstrong has apparently had his FIBA clearance and work visa sorted and is expected to suit up for the Santa Cruz Warriors today.

Good luck to him, hope he does well.

23 minutes off the bench for Taran, scoreless on 0/2 from the field, but 7 assists, a steal and a rebound, also 3 turnovers

the idea of Crawford to Cairns was floated on overtime, thoughts?

I hadn't heard that. Could do worse I guess, but I wouldn't rush into anything either.

AHT's option taken.

And AHT's been upgraded to the roster too.

Waardenburg re-signed.

That's a big positive! Just need a coach now.

And Galloway as well.

As a community-based club, it's hard to imagine that Cairns will ever be able to afford to become truely competitive in this league. Should they quit/leave/be tossed out? No effing way.

But if this situation could be openly addressed, Cairns, as an "intro-level" club/team may have a very significant and innovative role to play in the NBL. "COE"-type team in a professional sport league! A world first?
(Can expand this theme, on its own, elsewhere if anyone would like to.)

Cairns' search for a new coach could do a lot worse than Schueller as Forde's replacement. I have stated my liking of Schueller at Brisbane before and would like to see him continue his progression in the NBL.

Would Schueller get similar results at Cairns (excluding injuries, of course)? If you remember, Brisbane were in a bit of a hole when Schueller was appointed to the HC job. General consensus is that he did well, up to a point, but probably reached his peak at Bris.

Whether that is true or not is up for discussion but most agreed that he is good at building culture, steadiness and playing philosophies/systems. All worthwhile aims for Cairns with nothing else on the drawing board, ATM(?). And the signings referred to above are a good start for a Schueller-type roster.

Or Rucker, if he misses out on the Bullets job (so, will definitely be available), DMac might need a job soon?, Sam McKinnon needs a job now, and has shown that he can coach and wants to. In fact, this opening is a fabulous opportunity for any aspiring AC!

Have to admit that none of the above would seem likely to turn Cairns of 2026 into the Illawarra of 2024 (Tatum's 1st half-year), let alone the Hawks of 2026! but I don't think that that is the aim for Cairns.

Who else should be considered?

I'm hearing Kerry Williams is close to a good-thing.

Really good coach, not sure how he'd go recruiting. Interesting times.

AussieHoopla reporting Robbie McKinlay is going to sign on as Head Coach.

Seriously, what the hell is going on with Cairns Basketball?

Most teams have got at the very least a core of talent signed, yet we haven't even signed a coach. And the players we have signed (Waardenburg aside) were fringe/development players all optioned to the club. Who is doing the Cairns recruitment while other clubs continue to fill out their rosters?

As if it isn't bad enough that the Taipans operate on a shoestring, now it seems they're not even organised enough to meet some pretty basic timeframes to attempt to field a somewhat competitive side.

Maybe I'm missing something and they're playing Trump-style 4D chess and will come up with a brilliant last minute plan where all will be revealed. But I'm not holding my breath.

They should bring back Groves and possibly Bradshaw too, and then JC as third import?

Don't disagree. But why would they (or anyone else) sign on when they don't at the very least know who's going to be coaching them?

Surely almost everyone would want to at least feel they'll be competitive and/or improve as a player when they're signing to play somewhere?

Very true, they need to get the coach signed soon