NBL season preview: Which players have NBA potential? Who are the teams to beat?

The NBL season tips off on Friday night. We take you through how all 10 teams are shaping up for 2021-22.

Melbourne United

Coach: Dean Vickerman.
Additions: Matthew Dellavedova, Ariel Hukporti, Caleb Agada, Brad Newley, Dion Prewster, Callum Dalton, David Okwera, Zac Triplett.
Departures: Jock Landale, Mitch McCarron, Scotty Hopson, Yudai Baba, Sam McDaniel, Dave Andersen.
Players to watch: All eyes will be on “Delly” and how the NBA title winner handles the NBL. On pre-season form he could be dominant, and he already looks to be building chemistry with Chris Goulding and centres Jo Lual-Acuil and Hukporti.
A concern: Aside from Goulding, Mason Peatling, Shea Ili and Lual-Acuil, Melbourne are fielding a vastly changed roster. How quickly they mesh and how many losses they take in the process will decide their title hopes.
NBA potential: Hukporti is an NBA-class athlete but at 19 is still building his fitness and muscle. However, NBA scouts are watching closely, so a good season could mean he gets drafted next year. Agada has NBA dreams and is a player to watch, while Goulding and Dellavedova remain NBA-ready should a team come calling.
Prediction: First. The reigning champions should be right in the hunt and don’t rule out back-to-back titles. But drop too many games early and it could be over.

Matthew Dellavedova will be one to watch for Melbourne United this season.Credit:Getty Images

Sydney Kings

Coach: Chase Buford.
Additions: RJ Hunter, Jaylen Adams, Biwali Bayles, Makur Maker, Matur Maker, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.
Departures: Casper Ware, Brad Newley, Craig Moller, Daniel Kickert.
Players to watch: Adams and Hunter have spent time on multiple NBA teams, just like fellow import Jerell Martin. Three NBA imports should bring a lot of excitement to Kudos Bank Arena – and maybe a title.
A concern: The Kings have a new coach, new imports and a very young bench. They should be a tough, athletic team that competes for the title, but they have to find their best form fast.
NBA potential: Adams and Hunter are still young enough to get back to the league. Martin is too, while DJ Vasiljevic and Angus Glover have to bounce back from serious injuries before they can launch a run at the US league. Bayles and both Makers have high hopes too, but need time.
Prediction: Second. If Buford adjusts to the NBL, this team could challenge. But that lack of NBL experience can hurt in finals. They are good enough if they are together enough.

New King RJ Hunter.Credit:Getty Images

South East Melbourne Phoenix

Coach: Simon Mitchell.
Additions: Zhou Qi, Xavier Munford, Devin Thomas, Tohi Smith-Milner.
Departures: Keifer Sykes, Ben Moore, Yanni Wetzell, Kendall Stephens, Adam Gibson.
Players to watch: Chinese star Zhou Qi wants to show the world what he can do outside his home league and his shot-blocking will boost this team; if his offensive game follows, look out. Munford is an elite playmaker, Ryan Broekhoff is a world-class shooter who could thrive after a full off-season to prepare while Mitch Creek again shapes as an MVP candidate.
A concern: Will the parts fit together? We know the Creek, Cam Gliddon, Broekhoff and Kyle Adnam core works and centre Dane Pineau fits in any system, but the question will be over Munford and Zhou. The early signs are good, but the proof will come when the bright lights switch on.
NBA potential: Creek has been there before and is good enough to return, as is Broekhoff. If Zhou can earn an NBA return it will be a boom for the league.
Prediction: Third. All signs point to the Phoenix being right in the title hunt. Winning it all is a very real possibility but they have a lot of work to do to bring that to fruition.

Ryan Broekhoff in action in the NBL Blitz.Credit:Getty Images

Illawarra Hawks

Coach: Brian Goorjian.
Additions: Duop Reath, Antonius Cleveland, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Harry Froling.
Departures: Justin Simon, Cameron Bairstow, Deng Deng.
Players to watch: Tyler Harvey is a fearless shooter who can break open games. He’s not only an MVP candidate, he’s the barometer for how far the Hawks go.
A concern: Do they have the firepower? Goorjian will have his side defending and believing but the likes of Reath, Cleveland and Harry and Sam Froling need to rise up offensively.
NBA potential: Reath has NBA dreams and he could get there, while Justinian Jessup spent some time with Golden State Warriors during pre-season and he will keep pressing for a spot.
Prediction: Fourth. The Hawks can do it again, but they will need to stay healthy and have their imports firing. Never rule out a Goorjian team.

Don’t underestimate coach Brian Goorjian.Credit:Getty Images

Adelaide 36ers

Coach: CJ Bruton.
Additions: Mitch McCarron, Dusty Hannah, Kai Sotto, Todd Withers, Hyrum Harris, Cameron Bairstow, Tad Duelmeier, Mojave King, Emmanuel Malou.
Departures: Josh Giddey, Jack McVeigh, Brendan Teys, Tony Crocker, Brandon Paul, Jack Purchase, Keanu Pinder, Daniel Dillon.
Players to watch: McCarron shapes as a franchise-changing signing because he gives this team a point guard, playmaker and a standard-bearer to assist Daniel Johnson and their young core. I think the title-winning point guard could be an MVP candidate should he mesh with his new club and coach.
A concern: So many changes. Sotto is very raw, Withers and Hannah are unknown imports in this league and King has something to prove. They could be very good or could struggle, time will tell.
NBA potential: King and Sotto both want to get into the 2022 NBA draft, while McCarron and Humphries are more than capable if they get a chance.
Prediction: Fifth. The Sixers went 4-0 in pre-season and Bruton’s title-winning experience (six as a player) could help Adelaide could cause a shock – more so if Bairstow and Hannah find their roles.

Perth Wildcats

Coach: Scott Morrison.
Additions: Vic Law, Michael Frazer, Matt Hodgson, Majok Majok, Jack Purchase, Kyle Zunic, Oliver Hayes-Brown.
Departures: John Mooney, Clint Steindl, Will Magnay, Jarred Bairstow, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk.
Players to watch: Bryce Cotton is still the man as he chases his fourth MVP award and looks to keep the Wildcats’ 36-year streak of play-off appearances alive. He comes up big in the clutch, he is a wonder.
A concern: Trevor Gleeson’s departure to the NBA means we will see a transformation that the Wildcats haven’t had to do in almost a decade. Morrison is a respected coach, but adjusting to the NBL takes time and he has precious little of it.
NBA potential: Forward Luke Travers is on the cusp of the NBA and he has a chance to push himself into first-round contention in 2022 with a big campaign. He attacks the rim, plays great defence and shows a poise not dissimilar to Joe Ingles at the same age.
Prediction: Sixth. In the NBL there are three certainties: death, taxes and Perth making the top four. But that could change this year unless they hit their strides and stay healthy.

Brisbane Bullets

Coach: James Duncan.
Additions: Jack Salt, Robert Franks, Isaiah Moss, Deng Deng, Tom Digbeu, Chuanxing Liu.
Departures: Matt Hodgson, Vic Law, Harry Froling, BJ Johnson, Orlando Johnson.
Players to watch: Nathan Sobey will be coming in hot on the back of an Olympic bronze medal with the Boomers, so expect another MVP-calibre season from the Warrnambool export.
A concern: Going from Andrej Lemanis to Duncan is a big change. Either way, Duncan has to harness the best of Sobey, Lamar Patterson, Jason Cadee and Anthony Drmic.
NBA potential: Jack Salt has a powerful body and he screens, rebounds and defends with aplomb. He’s done well overseas and could be a difference-maker. French teen Digbeu impressed throughout pre-season with his athleticism and fearlessness. He has eyes on the NBA and looks more than capable.
Prediction: Seventh. The Bullets will get what they earn. If they bring out the match-winning form of Patterson, Sobey and co, they will be right there but if not, could fall back.

New Zealand Breakers

Coach: Dan Shamir.
Additions: Ousmane Dieng, Hugo Besson, Jeramiah Martin, Peyton Siva, Yanni Wetzell, Princepal Singh.
Departures: Tai Webster, Corey Webster, Colton Iverson, Levi Randolph.
Players to watch: Finn Delany continues to develop into an elite NBL player and someone who could push for NBA honours or in Europe.
A concern: The Breakers have been hit by COVID-19 and they face a lengthy stay in Australia once again. If they can overcome that and still make the play-offs this will be a very special team.
NBA potential: Dieng and Besson are two French youngsters looking to win over NBA scouts. Dieng is a powerful athlete who has no fear taking the game to older opponents, while Besson has plenty of scoring punch. Will McDowell-White and Wetzell will also push for NBA tryouts.
Prediction: Eighth. It’s too much for a team stuck on the road to make the finals, especially in a close league. Every win should be treasured by the Breakers.

Tasmania JackJumpers

Coach: Scott Roth.
Additions: Jarred Bairstow, Sam McDaniel, Clint Steindl, Jack McVeigh, Jarrad Weeks, Fabijan Krslovic, MiKyle McIntosh, Josh Adams, Josh Magette, Will Magnay, Matt Kenyon.

Scott Roth has words with the JackJumpers during the NBL Blitz.Credit:Getty Images

Departures: N/A.
Players to watch: Adams can dunk and shoot threes all night while Magette’s passing and scoring efficiency will decide whether his club can come up with many wins this season.
A concern: This team will face growing pains and losses in their first season in the league. Roth did everything right in bringing his players to Hobart as soon as he could and it will make them competitive.
NBA potential: Magnay started last season with the New Orleans Pelicans before finishing the season with Perth. He wants to turn this season in Tassie into a second act in the NBA; don’t bet against him.
Prediction: Ninth. If they win home games early and keep games tight on the road, who knows what could happen, but this year is for consolidating.

Cairns Taipans

Coach: Adam Forde.
Additions: Stephen Zimmerman, Keanu Pinder, Tahjere McCall, Bul Kuol.
Departures: Cam Oliver, Mojave King, Tad Dufelmeier, Fabijan Krslovic, George Blagojevic.
Players to watch: Point guard Scott Machado is still the man for the Taipans and he will need a huge season to keep this unheralded side competitive.
A concern: Do they have enough talent? Forde is a passionate coach and he will look to cajole everything he can from this pretty modest roster, but they have much to prove.
NBA potential: Kouat Noi had NBA dreams when he arrived in Cairns two years ago, but his game hasn’t taken off due to form and injuries, there is an opportunity if he gets himself right.
Prediction: 10th. They looked to be off the pace at the Blitz and I fear they will fall off the pace. But they won’t go down without a fight.

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