The Cairns Taipans are closing in on veteran guard Sunday Dech as they reshape their roster under Adam Forde, while the Sydney Kings have secured Makuach Maluach on a new deal after his breakout, championship-winning season.
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Sources told Fox Sports Australia that the Cairns Taipans are closing in on a move for veteran guard Sunday Dech, who recently parted ways with the Perth Wildcats after just one season into a three-year deal.
Dech, 32, is a nine-year NBL veteran known for his defensive presence and, when fit, remains one of the strongest local perimeter defenders in the competition.
A two-time NBL champion, he has played more than 200 games at the top level. His best season came with Adelaide in 2021–22, when he averaged 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists, though his court time has since dipped, averaging just 9.9 minutes per game in Perth.
The potential signing isn’t unexpected, with Taipans coach Adam Forde maintaining a strong connection with Dech from earlier in his career. That relationship is expected to play a key role in getting a deal across the line.
The pair previously worked together at East Perth in NBL1 West, where Forde coached and Dech went on to win Most Improved Player honours during a championship-winning campaign.
For Cairns, it continues a more proactive off-season compared to last year, when the club went over 100 days without a roster move. Early activity this time around suggests a more structured push heading into the new season.
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Maluach has agreed to a two-year deal, keeping him with the reigning champions through to the end of the 2027–28 season in what shapes as one of the more important signings of the off-season.
The 27-year-old is coming off the best year of his career in his third season with the Kings, averaging 8.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.6 steals while shooting 48% from the field.
His upside was clear in a breakout performance against the Perth Wildcats, where he finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks, showing just how impactful he can be on both ends.
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It’s a well-earned deal for the 6’6 forward, whose journey to this point has been anything but typical. In an interview with CODE Sports, Maluach explained how he fled South Sudan at a young age due to conflict, spending time in Uganda before eventually settling in Australia, where he only picked up basketball at 14.
“I grew up in Uganda because my dad moved the whole family from South Sudan due to the war as it was very unsafe,” he said.
“I was pretty young and naive at the time, but I’ve been back to South Sudan since and it really opened my eyes and made me grateful for my family and the sacrifices they’ve made.”
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He’s since built a reputation as one of the league’s most explosive in-game dunkers, playing with an edge that reflects his upbringing.
“I don’t know how my parents did it to give us the life we lead today, so honestly the way I play is a reflection of my upbringing,” he said.
“So, every time I get an opportunity to play I want to give everything I have.”
For the Kings, this keeps a key piece in place as they look to go back-to-back. With roster changes already underway, Maluach is expected to take on a bigger role and continue his rise heading into the 2026–27 season.