Reality behind MVP’s shock exit; horror blows leave hyped roster in tatters — NBL Talking Points

The NBL campaign has finally arrived, but the best-laid plans of one side are already in trouble.

Plus how a re-worked Wildcats side could yet be better without Bryce Cotton, and the state of play at the opening night sides Tasmania and Melbourne.

Foxsports.com.au breaks down the key storylines heading into Round 1 of the NBL season in Talking Points!

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HORROR BLOWS LEAVE HYPED ROSTER IN TATTERS

In an offseason that has generated significant buzz across the NBL, the Cairns Taipans have been dealt a major setback.

The club has confirmed that New Zealand forward Sam Waardenburg has undergone surgery on an ankle injury, leaving his return timetable uncertain as Round 1 approaches.

The Taipans entered NBL26 with unprecedented excitement following one of the biggest recruitment drives in club history. New signings Jack McVeigh, Marcus Lee, Andrew Andrews, Reyne Smith and Admiral Schofield added fresh optimism, but it was the re-signing of Waardenburg that truly set the tone for the season ahead.

Voted the Taipans’ 2024/25 Club MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Waardenburg was primed for a breakout campaign. His recent stint in Puerto Rico with Indios de Mayaguez underlined his growth, where he averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and shot 55% from the field. Instead of building on that form, devastatingly, Waardenburg now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

For Cairns, the timing couldn’t be worse. Waardenburg is not only one of the team’s most reliable two-way players, but also a leader on and off the floor. His absence places added pressure on McVeigh to provide scoring punch, Lee to anchor the paint defensively, and Schofield to step in as a versatile option at both forward spots. Together, they will need to cover the void left by Waardenburg until his return.

The Taipans’ depth will be tested further with Mawot Mag also reportedly unavailable due to a foot injury, and Andrew Andrews, signed only recently is unlikely to suit up for Round 1. When they face the South East Melbourne Phoenix to open the season (Saturday 5:30pm AEST), the Taipans may look very different from the high-powered lineup fans had anticipated.

What was shaping up as the most exciting campaign in Cairns history has hit an early roadblock. How the Snakes navigate the next three months without Waardenburg could go a long way to determining whether their bold offseason pays off.

SIDE PRIMED TO IMPROVE WITHOUT MVP?

New era, new logo, new uniforms, same coach, and the same lofty expectations, the Perth Wildcats head into NBL26 as one of the league’s most intriguing stories.

The offseason began with heartbreak as the club farewelled five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton, arguably the greatest player in league history. From there, patience became the strategy, and it paid off. Slowly but surely, the Wildcats assembled one of the strongest rosters in the NBL.

The re-signings of Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler laid the foundation, alongside trusted depth pieces Ben Henshall, Elijah Pepper, David Okwera, and veteran Jesse Wagstaff. Perth then turned its attention to shoring up weaknesses, adding Sunday Dech and Lat Mayen to address defensive concerns and provide reliable depth.

Once the foundation was in place, the Wildcats secured their headline acts: star big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and NBA G League Finals MVP Mason Jones. With that, the roster was complete, balanced, deep and brimming with talent.

The Wildcats leaked points last season, finishing with the fifth-worst defensive rating and allowing a league-high 96.9 points per game. History shows that to win an NBL championship, you must finish the season with a top-three defensive rating. That’s the hill Perth must climb.

With Cotton gone, the offensive identity will also evolve. Last year’s plan was simple: give Bryce the ball and let him take over. Now, the microscope is firmly on John Rillie. Can he unlock the versatility of Windler, Doolittle, Jones and Lual-Acuil Jr.? Can he demand the defensive commitment required to turn talent into titles?

The pieces are in place. Big signings, restless fans, and a fresh look mean the Wildcats are once again must-watch basketball. But this season, more than ever, it comes down to coaching. John Rillie has the roster, the resources, and the stage. The question is: can he get the best out of this team when it matters most?

BRIDESMAIDS READY FOR THEIR BIG DAY

For the past two seasons, Melbourne United have been the perennial contenders who fell just short.

Two consecutive Grand Final appearances, two heartbreaking five-game defeats. First at the hands of the Tasmania JackJumpers in NBL24, then against the Illawarra Hawks in NBL25.

Now, with NBL26 approaching, United are embracing change with one mission in mind: finally bringing home championship number seven.

This offseason, Melbourne were quick to retool. Out went experienced campaigners and club stalwarts such as Jack White, Matthew Dellavedova, Ian Clark, Marcus Lee and Robert Loe. It was a clear sign that while the identity and culture of United remain the same, a fresh direction was required.

Head coach Dean Vickerman made the approach simple, recruit top-end local talent while restoring the three-import model that served the club well in past seasons. The result is a balanced and versatile roster: the signings of Finn Delany, Tom Wilson and Fabijan Krslovic, complemented by import trio Milton Doyle, Tyson Walker and Jesse Edwards.

For United, bringing in a player like Milton Doyle, with championship pedigree, experience and leadership, has set the tone for the offseason. With the help of first-year professional Tyson Walker and NBA big man Jesse Edwards, United now boast one of the best trio of imports in the league.

Alongside this new core, United retain key existing pieces in Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Tanner Krebs and Kyle Bowen, players whose experience and understanding of the system provide the foundation for immediate contention while also laying the stepping stones to keep the club at the top for years to come.

After a stint overseas, New Zealand forward Finn Delany wasn’t certain an NBL comeback was on the cards. That changed with a phone call from his agent whilst in Japan, letting him know Melbourne United were interested.

From there, Delany says it was “the easiest decision.”

His addition is vital, particularly in the wake of Jack White’s departure and his excitement about the group has been clear.

“I love this group and how the club has built it, the people they have brought in,” Delany said.

“I’m stoked with guys like Milton Doyle, Tyson Walker, Jesse Edwards. We’ve gelled together very quickly and are showing really good signs. I like our depth and the shared mindset.”

Delany, who averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shot 40% from the field and 33.3% from deep in his last NBL campaign, has long admired the way United operate.

United’s trademark over the years has been consistency: compete hard, chase championships, and buy into the team-first culture. That vision remains intact, only now with a new mix of talent to deliver it.

Delany, for his part, has aligned his personal ambitions with the club’s lofty goals.

“I want to compete for a championship and be the best version of myself,” he declared.

As United head into NBL26, there’s no shying away from the pressure. Two seasons of near misses have only hardened the group’s resolve. With Vickerman at the helm, a reinvigorated roster, and the return of a proven contributor in Delany, Melbourne United enter the new season not as a team rebuilding, but as a team reloading.

The heartbreak of the past two years lingers but so does the hunger. And for Melbourne United, the equation is clear: anything less than lifting the trophy will feel unfinished.

United’s journey begins on opening night, when United face the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena, tipping off at 6:30pm AEST Thursday to launch the NBL season.

CAN THE FALLEN CHAMPS RECOVER?

For the Tasmania JackJumpers, NBL26 is all about fresh faces, new talent, and the same mission: defend the island.

After an incredible NBL24 campaign that delivered the club’s first championship, the JackJumpers were unable to replicate that success in NBL25 due to injuries to key players and mid-season import dramas that disrupted momentum.

Those concerns appear to be behind them heading into this season. With a retooled roster featuring imports Bryce Hamilton, David Johnson, and Tyger Campbell, alongside local standouts Josh Bannan, Nick Marshall, and Ben Ayre, there’s a new energy in Tasmania. Under Scott Roth’s leadership, the JackJumpers look primed to once again be a contender at the pointy end of the season.

Hamilton, Johnson, and Campbell have already shown in preseason and at the NBL Blitz that they possess the skills to thrive in this league. Together, they form one of the most formidable import trios in the NBL. Complementing them is one of the competition’s strongest frontcourt duos in Josh Bannan and Will Magnay.

The key, however, will be keeping them healthy, Magnay managed just 13 games last season, while Bannan was limited to 19 appearances with the Brisbane Bullets.

Depth will also play a critical role in their push for success. New additions Nick Marshall and Ben Ayre bolster a supporting cast that already includes Anthony Drmic, Majok Deng, and Archie Woodhill, all of whom have proven they can contribute at a high level.

With a tight-knit culture, a proven coach, and a roster built around the “us against the world” mentality, the JackJumpers are once again shaping as one of the league’s premier teams. If they can stay healthy, expect them to be right in the mix come season’s end.