Yep, absolutely ridiculous in the middle of May.

Yet they still expect members to stump up their money while treating them like mushrooms (i.e. keep them in the dark and feed them shit).

All the usual "we're being thorough to make sure we get the right person" lines being put out though.

Today's Cairns Post:

Cairns Taipans remain the only NBL club without a coach locked in for the upcoming season, but president Troy Stone insists they are active on the market.
And the club insists, there will be a plan.
Stone put the privatisation of the Taipans back on the public agenda last week as part of a wide-ranging interview on the current state of the Snakes.
He revealed powerbrokers had been in conversation with potential suitors, and were ready to turn to private ownership - if they had the right buyer.
But fans have been left with more questions than answers with just five players - and no coach - locked in for NBL26.
"We are still going through the process," Stone said.
“We want to get it right, but it's more: we have to get it right.”
Despite enthusiasm among supporters and officials alike, the past few years have been disappointing for Cairns, having made just one postseason in the past five campaigns, and two of the past eight.
The two semi final campaigns, one each under Mike Kelly (NBL20) and Adam Forde (NBL23), lit a fire of excitement under the city that was quickly extinguished within 12 months.
Stone said it’s largely down to resources: the Taipans are, more often than not, among the lowest spenders in the league, and have very little room to move in terms of depth or replacement players.
Previous coach, Aaron Fearne, took the Taipans to the post-season three ties in nine seasons (NBL10 to NBL18), including a minor premiership, and two championship series (both lost).
“We have been disappointed in where we finished over these past couple of seasons, and there’s whole bunch of reasons - injury was the biggest for us.” Stone said.
“With a club like ours as it stands, we don’t have the percentage margin for error that a lot of other teams do.
“We can’t bring in a big-name injury replacement player so we have to get our team right, and our coaching right, and we need a lot of other things to go right.
“We proved how good we could be but we don’t have the contingency at this point in time for the injury hassles we had last year.”
Privatisation would hopefully ease that concern, provided the right people invest in the club, but that is also why there is a delay in the crucial on-court appointments.
Popular big Sam Waardenberg will return, as will Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kyrin Galloway, Kody Stattman and veteran Kyle Adnam, but the rest is yet to be locked as the club finalises the key positions.
“We’ve left enough flexibility for a new coach to put their own stamp on the team, and their playing style,” Stone said.
“It reinforces the player roster and coach conversations are happening hand in hand, and when the cards fall, they fall quickly.
“It’s frustrating for fans, and I get it, but that’s the nature of the beast and you have to stay two steps ahead ... we’re looking at some very high-level players and coaches.”

With still no coach or any signings this off-season I suspected the Taipans were either priming themselves to be sold or struggling financially. New owners usually want to pick their own coach and want the payroll as minimal as possible so that all makes sense now.

Does the NBL even give a S about Cairns? Please don't let anymore regional teams die. Surely they deserve some help.

Paul Henare was in the mix for Brisbane. Would be perfect for Cairns. Maybe Forde has to stay?

Generally don't disagree Zodiac, but if there are indeed prospective new owners and they want the payroll lower than it already is, then it doesn't bode well.

It just makes the team more attractive to sell, same thing goes on in the NBA. Doesn't mean the potential new owners won't spend.

Henare available as his contract in Japan not renewed.

According to Olgun "New Zealand's Paul Henare will join Nagasaki Velca as associate head coach for the 2025-26 B League season, sources told ESPN. Henare - who spent the last 4 years as head coach of the Shimane Susanoo Magic - stays in Japan, joining Mody Maor’s staff at Nagasaki."

No coach during FA: Poorly run as of late.

Then will cry about $$$ as per usual when things dont go well.

Needs to be sold asap.

Don't know if this is PC or not but Patty Mills, with his career and his personal background, is the perfect fit for Cairns. If, like in Nate Jawa's case, the gov got involved with grants (????) and/or LK with the means ($$$) to get Patty to FNQ, it would be the scoop of the NBL's off-season. Definitely bigger than Stu Lash to be HC of Brisbane Bullets.

If Patty doesn't want ownership, give him any position he wants. He would undoubtedly be a draw card to get an owner of due merit for the Cinderella of the NBL. If all the franchisees were similarly structured(privately-owned), the NBL would also become an easier entity to deal with now and forever more.

If Cairns don't want to go down that path, offer him (Patty) Brisbane, please!

get Patty to FNQ, it would be the scoop of the NBL's off-season. Definitely bigger than Stu Lash to be HC of Brisbane Bullets.