With Cotton maybe not returning, this is a good first step.

This is exactly how super professional clubs going about building maintaining the roster..back the coach retain the talent..I so pline for the days of sixer / wildcat dominance and rivalry.

Great signing, best four in the competition this season imo, never really got the accolades he deserved. Plays both ends.

Dolittle is very good, no doubt.

But I think he is better because of Cotton's gravity.

Without Cotton he won't be as effective.

Kendrick Davis should be a target, he brings better point guard play that could also help Doolittle

Kd sixer bound.rock solid. Sixer must retain the next BC dominant star..

Keeping Doolittle is big for Perth and if Cotton doesn't resign I'd agree they definitely need a lead PG, but I'm not buying it yet re: KD. Lots of smoke around KD/Adelaide/Wells and although Adelaide are a bit of a train wreck in general, having a hard time imagining Rillie/KD being a great fit.

Presume Pinder is gone from his social media post. He has his limitations but also wasn't really well utilized under Rillie and if he stays in the NBL I think there's a good chance he can regain his Taipans form.

Pinder has signed in China

Great signing

Doolittle's played for the same Puerto Rican team the last 4 years too. Seems to like finding something that works and then sticking around.

Continuity is king in the NBL, based on the current grand final series- Harvey, Clark and Lee all long-term NBL imports, 3, 4 and 5 seasons respectively and all played multiple years with their current clubs (Lee had a year in Tassie in between)

If Cotton and Pinder go, then it's even more important to keep Doolittle as a bridge of consistency with this season.

And of course Kell another long-term NBL import but year 1 with Hawks.

Vickerman loves NBL imports- Hopson, Trimble, Long, XRM, Clark, Prather.

Doesn't guarantee it'll work, but there's something to be said for "better the devil you know"

Jesse Wagstaff has signed on for another season - his 17th with the Wildcats

A little surprising but as the last remaining link to the gritty, defensive-orientated Wildcats of yore this is probably a good thing even if its just to sit on the end of the bench in a jersey and give the players a kick up the ass in huddles and timeouts from time to time.

Is he on track to crack 500 games next season provided he plays enough?

No.

Had forgotten he already cracked the mark this season!

Nothing is surprising with this front office. To a degree, I get it, bringing Wagstaff back, but on the other hand I don't. It’s an important position, he doesn’t play big minutes, just has moments. His time on the court lessens time of other young guys that need more time, and experience. Also, I suspect they could get another local for a similar price that can play more consistent minutes. Similar to last year, I feel the biggest impact he will have is off the court. Imports were pretty good this season, I just feel the local core isn't quite up to scratch in comparison to other teams.too many players in similar positions falling out of rotation.

Next Bryce/Mets de Guaynabo game is Monday 8am Perth time I believe all free on pootube if ur bothered

https://youtube.com/@metsbasketball?si=wkfPMLdOVEgVmxRR

Nothing is surprising with this front office

Out of curiosity, with free agency period inbound what is everyone's thoughts. Not many contracts already in place, who would you like to see signed, and who would you be ok with not getting another contract? Obviously everything is pending on Cottons decision, but at a minimum for locals, what is everyone’s thoughts? Sure a bit hard with Henshall being up in smoke, Pinder maybe unlikely to return, as well as Tai, could be a lot of spots to fill, along with a bench that rarely sees court time.

Dylan Windler has signed on for 2 more years

Anyone with any rumours or intel?

Hopefully Hyrum Harris re-signs at PF
Centre hopefully we get either JLA or Wetzell.

If Henshall or Webster don't return we're looking pretty thin at the guard rotation.

So far this is how we're looking.

PG *Import / Russo-Nance
SG Pepper / X
SF *Windler / X
PF *Doolittle / Harris? / Wagstaff / **Huefner / ** Gerovich
C JLA? / X

I think the Cat's should take a look at Johnny Narkle at the 3.

According to Olgun Sunday Dech is close to signing a 3 year deal with the Wildcats

^ haha, oopsie! Looks like they stuffed up by publishing that this morning. They have now made it private.
Anyway, Sunday is a Wildcat.

Almansa has declared for the NBA draft, and also deleted all photos of him in a Wildcats jersey off his instagram page. Weird....

Sounds like Almansa was not a happy camper, or he didn't like being associated with a team which wasn’t a winner

Almansa minutes were inconsistent at times.

Hynam Harris should look around first, he was barely in rotation last year

Think I saw it reported somewhere that Hyrum is exploring overseas opportunities.

Almansa ... yeah ... started slowly, really built nicely into the season, and then for no apparent reason fell out of favour in the back end. So if there is actually some animosity there I would not be surprised. I like him and wish him all the best wherever he ends up.

Good result for Sunday if he got 3 years.

I wonder if Rillie is a divisive coach with his players.. In this league you attract local players based off reputation. Vickerman, Roth are good examples. The way this team has collapsed with all sorts of players falling out of rotations, and leaving (Cotton the biggest) - we may not be able to attract any good talent without paying a hefty premium.

If the level of frustration that Rillie showed during games was typical of that at training, then no wonder players want to see the back of him

Remember when Wagstaff mentioned defensive problems during a press conference and Rillie death stared him.

JLA might be next..

@OlgunUluc

Lat Mayen has agreed to a two-year deal with Perth Wildcats, sources told ESPN. Team option on the second year.

Wildcats have now officially announced the Sunday Dech signing

Link

The Sunday interview is back

A google search of Jo Lual-Acuil came up with some very interesting results. Looks like a page from the Perth Wildcats official site that hasnt gone live yet... Maybe someone who is a bit more tech savvy than me can clarify if its actually something or nothing...

Interesting pickup, CatANON

New Cats focused episode of The Marketplace -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpu3G73nE2E&t=28s

Nice find CatANON.

More sloppiness from SEG.

So now something like?:

PG *Import / Russo-Nance
SG Dech /Pepper
SF *Windler / Mayen
PF *Doolittle / Okwera / Wagstaff / **Huefner / ** Gerovich
C JLA? / X


They need a big name centre and an excellent import point guard.

LOL

JLA seems to be the marquee Perth have zeroed in on.

Import
Pepper?
Windler
Doolittle
JLA

Forgot about dech so he will probably be the starting 2 guard.

Man I Rillie Rillie hope we sign JLA. The would settle the nerves for sure.

Trey Kell would be a good get. but that's assuming Illawarra can't get a deal done and he wants to leave, neither of which I have seen reports to the contrary to this point.

The west Australian is reporting that JLA will not likely return to the NBL for next season. Its looking as if no Mills or JLA in the mix. So not re-signing Cotton to hopefully build a stronger all round team looking a bit precarious.

Doolittle injured in PR, now suspected to be ankle, rather than Achilles. MRI to come. Would be a good time to to shut him down, you would think.

Wildcats need to pull two rabbits out the hat at PG and C - and with JLA probably off the board that task is getting harder.

@Lachy_Reid
Been a rollercoaster ride this off season, but I'm told promising signs for the @PerthWildcats in their chase for Yanni Wetzell. They're close to signing the big man.
6'10 starter at Alba Berlin
Means they will target an import guard + keep an eye on Ben Henshall's movements

Great signing, likely overpaid but had to get it done. With JLA off the board, Wetzell is of a similar level and one of the only last remaining high level marquee players left out there.

Averaged 17 & 8 in last NBL stint.

Would be the best local big in the league, which IMO is a big advantage re: team building and imports.

Please make it so, have wanted him on the squad since that last NBL season he was solid as

Wetzel started 16 out 34 games for Berlin, it was Berlin's worst season in years, the club has dropped out of the euro league. He played 19 minutes a game at 10p and 4.6r. I believe wasn't offered a new contract, reasonable season but can be found out defensively. He will be a good asset but he’s not going to dominate against players of Hunters ilk imo.

Wetzell is so clearly better than Hunter. Hunter averaged 10 and 7 last year, hardly crazy numbers lol.

Wetzel averaged 10 and 4.6 last season, we will see soon enough if rumour is true.

10 and 5 in the Euroleague and German BBL... significantly different level of competition.

Last time Wentzell was in the NBL, he averaged 17 & 8.

As I said we will see, he'll be on huge money, hopefully he performs better than Pinder who also got paid better than he produced.

Can chalk up Pinders production to Rillies handling of him. Not the sharpest crayon in the box, but would look like he was rolling before getting benched. Had plenty of freedom with Forde but Rillie kept him on a short leash.
And Hunter one of the most underrated players in NBL, big body that can finish around the paint and often in great position. Would take him over a lot of other bigs, especially Humphries. Imo the Kings really missed him last season.

The NBL is a smaller league, local bigs will tend to put up better numbers here than stronger EU leagues.

Completely agree re: Hunter, as well as the Kings missing him. He's in the conversation of top local big but still struggles to stay on the court and has too many unnecessary fouls. When he's locked in he is much improved at going straight up and contesting while keeping his arms out of it, but still too many fouls at inopportune times for me across the stretch of the season - of course would welcome him back with open arms though... :)

saw an article where it quoted owner Mark Arena as saying there is no rush to sign players.
pretty moronic seeing he rushed Cotton out of town with his short deadline.

He gave Cotton 6 months. Cotton was not going to sign without potentially getting even more money as he wanted out of there. The club cant be held hostage by 1 player, especially as we haven't won a championship with that player for a number of years despite being so well paid. Also with Cotton in the back court playing defense we had a couple of 50+ outings by opposing guards. There is a problem there.

I welcome the Bryce Cotton problem in Adelaide!

Unless Cotton was given permission to talk to other teams regarding his free agency during the season, it was hardly 6 months. Sure, it's nice to lock up your own players early, but that's what free agency is about. Cotton could have signed early and got the guaranteed money, but he bet on himself, had one of best seasons individually in NBL history so would expect to get rewarded with a better deal. If he'd struggled after he'd signed, some would be ripping the wildcats for extending him, but based on his track record it would have been unlikely.
I believe even in his interview he said it was Perth that announced his departure while he was still looking at his options.
As for opponents dropping 50s, Cotton is hardly a Damien Martin but looks more a problem with the coaching defensive schemes than one individual player.

saw an article where it quoted owner Mark Arena as saying there is no rush to sign players.
pretty moronic seeing he rushed Cotton out of town with his short deadline.

As for opponents dropping 50s, Cotton is hardly a Damien Martin but looks more a problem with the coaching defensive schemes than one individual player.

Looks like there is another contract with the NBL (or expected to be) for Head Office to tick off on the contract involving a star import going to another team? See latest NBL Facebook post. Who might that be and to which team? Maybe Jayden Adams, Trey Kell, Jordon Crawford, Ian Clarke, Matt Hurt, PJC. Being kept very quiet.

Apologies, meant for the free agency thread.

There are report saying Yanni Wetzell has signed in Japan. If this report is accurate, the cats strategy for a marquee looking pretty shaky. Signed Windler maybe too quickly in place of a center and pg import.

I thought he was going to Perth for minimal money. Players follow the dollar, they have to in a short career.

That's what makes the whole Cotton ultimatum bizarre. Apparently so they could move on and build a team. Not really working out too well. Doolittle definitely was a priority, Windler not as much and now they're stuck with a player that was inconsistent, now can't cut and doesn't really form an integral piece of the puzzle.
They now need a scorer and a big desperately, doubt Windler was in such a huge demand that they could have held off until they could get a Wetzell or JLA. If they had one of them then maybe Windler makes a bit more sense. If they strike out with a local big, then they 100% have to go with an import big. Then who's going to be their scorer?
Unless Henshall can be convinced he'll have a bigger role I can see him elsewhere, United would be a better situation and if the NBL are paying his salary, Cairns would be attractive as well. One of the other casualties of Rillies benching philosophy.
Probably are, but can't think of a coach that has forced more players out, and including Norton and Blanchfield along with Cotton and Pinder. Would have been better staying with ScoMo.

Was wrong about Pinder to the 36ers but Pleb confident in his source that Wetzell has signed in Japan. Said Cats almost had him but he pulled out at the last minute.

I've seen nothing from my sources on Wetzel to Japan, but money wise they would have plenty. Can Windler play the two, slide Doolittle to the three get a local four, import five and bring Henshall back as the point.

Pinder could well have been talking to Adelaide though. Just because a signing didn't eventuate as expected, it doesn't mean people are wrong based on what they know at the time.

Would have been better staying with ScoMo.

@PerthWildcats
The Perth Wildcats would like to thank Keanu Pinder for his contribution to the club over the past two seasons
We wish you all the best for the next chapter of your basketball career with the Akita Northern Happinets in Japan!

Cats need to get best five man import, bring in Naar the point Moller to the 3-4 and him and Doolittle can just rotate between positions, both can play 3-4.

Naar at the point OMG

Very good high IQ player Naar, not a ball hog and superb passer. Defence is okish. If they bring an import point I'm not sure where you find a five man local. Naar been very impressive in nbl1 west this season. Played with Moller and Kay for Australia when they beat Japan a few seasons back in Japan, played with Moller through high school and beat all and sundry for a few years in a row. Doolittle and Moller would be an excellent defensive combination. Anyway it’s either an import point or five, I’m going the five as Perth got scoring power, Mooney would be ideal.

Moller under Rillie? What a waste!

With Yanni Wetzel seemingly gone, I cant help but feel the team the cats put together for this season is looking a heck of a lot weaker than last years. Finals no guarantee.

Channel ten Perth tonight said that Yanni signed to the same team as Keanu so the Wildcats management must hate that team!

Channel ten news Perth*

Akita Northern Happinets are my new favourite Japanese team.

NBL1 West is a mile off NBL, just ask Devondrick Walker

Naar played nbl, it was a just a thought as I don't see to many five local five men available if you go for a point guard. As I said high IQ player as is Moller, would certainly help cats.

If Naar is your starting PG they have absolutely blown their off season recruitment. He hasn't really shone in the NBL and may never get the level of a McDowell-White or similar. He is no Damien Martin that will offset low scoring ability,

Naar could be a serviceable PG off the bench but non-scoring PGs just dont have a place these days in the current form of the game.

Just go and have a look at the NBL1 National Stats leaders. Most are has beens who never were or are currently mid to low bench players on NBL teams. Doing well at NBL1 is not a very good indicator of doing well taking the next step.

Ok then, considering cats need a five and point guard and only have one import spot left, who is available at either spot in the locals at either spot ?

Bumping this post. Hopefully something announced soon.

Cats management would be very negligent if they haven't called Jock Landales management in last few hours

I believe Noa Kouakou-Heugue is now officially our next star. Good news

@Lachy_Reid
I'm told Jo Lual-Acuil has officially signed with the @PerthWildcats for the next two years. Cats securing a quality big man.

2022 All-NBL First Team, 2021 Championship with United.
Expecting club announcement this afternoon.
@10SportAU @10NewsPER

Praise the lord!

Cats will likely field one of the strongest and most athletic teams in the league. With the money being spent.

ESPN article claims JLA now highest paid local in the NBL:
https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/45758954/nbl-jo-lual-acuil-jr-signs-2-year-deal-perth-wildcats

Also mentions a couple of potential guards they are talking to , one with a recent 40 point game in the G-league.

So JLA is earning more than Cooks, I'm gob smacked, both over paid imo. I’ve said previously his last season at united wasn’t great, I haven’t followed him since he left but he must have been MVP material. He’s certainly going to have size on most other fives in nbl, could turn out fantastic or more like Pinder in Perth, just above average, again imo.

its official

https://www.wildcats.com.au/news/wildcats-welcome-home-nbl-champion-jo-lual-acuil?mc_cid=b28ab0830c&mc_eid=8c27f031b0

Interesting tweet here from Mark Arena on X - last financial year the Cats were not profitable, this is very surprising to me. Seems it's not just residential rental rates in WA that are taking the piss RAC know how to bleed the golden goose bigtime.

https://x.com/WildcatsMark/status/1950166755646816700

"I'm sympathetic to the complaint that Wildcats memberships and tickets are too expensive. A big part of that is how expensive it is for us to play at RAC Arena. To give you some insight: we pay the 2nd highest annual venue rental in the NBL and our venue rental per attendee is 40% higher than the NBL average. For the financial year just passed (FY24-25), the club as a whole was not profitable. That is despite us playing two home finals in Perth with the move to Perth HPC for the play-in final costing us ~$480k. If that move hadn't have occurred, we would have still not been profitable. The Wildcats having a sustainable business model is extremely important for everything that we do including our community programs and putting a championship capable team on the court."

How many basketball teams outside of the USA make a profit ? I cant imagine the Japanese B league is making profit for most of their clubs.

The NBL model (and in many other leagues I think) is around some rich guy buying the club and running it as a passion project and perhaps a tax write-off. If you want to run it on a budget you get a team like the Bullets in previous years.

Those outside WA may not know - this week tickets went on sale for the ignite cup Wednesday night games, one in October one in January. Buying my own season ticket seat was $103 inc. fees which is the highest I've had to pay for a non season ticket seat since I became a member (from memory $80 odd has been the max). I can certainly see why there was complaining from the red army massive which led to Arenas tweet.

Be keen to know what ticket prices were like for ignite cup in other stadiums?

It's hard making a profit when you pay SEG management fees to botch up everything they touch.

Arena doesn't say how the loss they made compared to the budget they set. How much of it was unavoidable and how much was self inflicted.

The venue issue for the final was self inflicted

Were they still paying out any salaries for players they signed to multi year deals and then moved on?

How much of the cost of the unnecessary rebrand went through the P&L?

It’s all very well for Arena to selectively release information but if he is looking for some sort of sympathy, release the full accounts so that people can make an informed judgement

Strange to be bleating like this so soon after taking it over, presumably he had an opportunity to do some DD

Its a good point on the salaries, they were paying some of Blanchfields last season.

The NBL does need to get more into Asia to attract higher sponsorship value from more regional exposure, the gap between profit and expenses could then be funded more by Sponsors.

Its a good point on the salaries, they were paying some of Blanchfields last season.

The NBL does need to get more into Asia to attract higher sponsorship value from more regional exposure, the gap between profit and expenses could then be funded more by Sponsors.

Both Blanchfield & Norton were moved on at the same time with 2 years each remaining on their contracts.

Did they receive any subsidies like Adelaide for player payments to try and increase the value of the team?

Henshall resigns on a 2 year deal I'm reading, excellent.

Yep, very happy to see that news.
Even with a good import guard, the backcourt was looking pretty dodgy. This changes things significantly.

Yep, very happy to see that news.
Even with a good import guard, the backcourt was looking pretty dodgy. This changes things significantly.

I question whether Pepper is a better long term prospect than Henshall. Scoring 50+ in NBL on a regular basis does show some scoring talent, would he be able to be like another Shane Heal if given more minutes and possibly a start.

I question whether Pepper is a better long term prospect than Henshall. Scoring 50+ in NBL on a regular basis does show some scoring talent, would he be able to be like another Shane Heal if given more minutes and possibly a start.

Henshall
Windler
Doolittle
JLA

If Perth can get a gun import point (Zavier Simpson?) they're right up there with championship faves.

I don't see a lot D in that side, Dech slightly overrated as a defender imo, lot work for Doolittle to do. Again they look like relying on out scoring the opposition.

Still one important piece to be added before we have a complete picture, but looking improved in that department compared to last season IMO

Just FYI if it hasn't already been reposted - Pleb on X yesterday

"The Perth Wildcats have signed their import, and final player, for NBL26.

Expect a team announcement soon, revealing their new guard."


Hopefully we will know by tomorrow who is stepping into BCs shoes for want of a better phrase