The NBL off-season is already taking shape across the league, with every club adjusting in different ways after a year defined by tight margins, injuries, breakout stars and coaching shifts. From reigning champions Sydney to rebuilding sides like Brisbane and Cairns, the early moves suggest another season where the balance of power could shift quickly.
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Some teams are retooling around established cores, others are hitting the reset button entirely, but all ten clubs are still very much in the mix as roster building ramps up for the 2026-2027 season.
ADELAIDE 36ERS
The NBL championship runners-up, who fell just one rebound short of the title, have already undergone major changes as the Adelaide 36ers regroup for another push at glory. After a heartbreaking finish to an outstanding 23-10 regular season, the club has moved quickly to put itself back in contention.
Adelaide remained one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams throughout the year, but the mid-season departure of import Troy Brown Jr. proved to be a turning point in their finals campaign.
Veteran sharpshooter John Jenkins helped keep the scoring output steady, but defensive consistency on the wing began to slide, becoming a clear weakness that was exposed during the playoff run.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Bryce Cotton | Isaac White
SG: Flynn Cameron
SF: Bul Kuol (Out until mid-season)
PF: Zylan Cheatham (Import) | Nick Rakocevic (Import)
C: Isaac Humphries | Ben Griscti
The club has already moved to address that issue by signing Bul Kuol on a two-year deal. One of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, Kuol adds length, athleticism, and versatility across multiple positions, although he is still recovering from the ACL injury that ended his previous season. Once healthy, he should immediately strengthen Adelaide’s defence.
The 36ers still have three roster spots to fill and are expected to target another import wing who can help carry the scoring load until Kuol returns. As expected, Bryce Cotton will remain the centrepiece of the offence after yet another MVP-level campaign.
Off the court, Adelaide also faces a major coaching decision following the departure of Mike Wells. Club legend Trevor Gleeson continues to be strongly linked with a return, a move that would instantly bring championship experience and stability back to the organisation.
BRISBANE BULLETS
It was a disastrous season for the Brisbane Bullets, one filled with instability, roster drama, injuries, and constant change from start to finish. What began as an intriguing experiment quickly spiralled, with the club enduring one of the toughest campaigns in recent NBL history.
The decision to appoint inexperienced coach Stu Lash raised eyebrows early, and the season only became more chaotic from there. Former MVP Jaylen Adams was released, while import Javon Freeman-Liberty was let go, brought back, and eventually shut down altogether as the season unravelled.
Brisbane eventually finished last on the ladder with a disappointing 6-27 record. NBL legend Darryl McDonald stepped in as interim head coach after Lash departed, but by that stage injuries and a lack of available bodies had completely derailed the campaign.
Despite the poor results, there is finally a sense the club is pressing the reset button properly. With fresh leadership, roster flexibility, and a full off-season ahead, Bullets fans finally have reason to feel optimistic heading into NBL27.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Mitch Norton | Tristan Devers
SG: Taine Murray
SF: Sam McDaniel
PF: Harry Rouhliadeff
C: Tyrell Harrison | Jacob Holt
The appointment of Will Weaver as both head coach and general manager signals a complete reset for the Brisbane Bullets, with the experienced coach now given full control over the club’s roster construction and overall direction moving forward.
The first piece of that rebuild came in the form of Harry Rouhliadeff, who arrives after spending four years developing in the NCAA with the University of Hawai’i. The young forward adds size and versatility to Brisbane’s frontcourt, but there is still plenty of work to do across the roster.
Importantly, the Bullets still hold all three import spots, and those signings will likely determine just how competitive this team can become next season. A high-level scoring point guard appears to be a major priority, alongside a strong two-way wing and a reliable power forward capable of bringing consistency at both ends of the floor.
The future of veteran star Casey Prather also remains one of the biggest storylines surrounding the club. Injuries cut short his season, but before going down, Prather was playing some of the best basketball in the league and firmly looked back to MVP form.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
It was another disappointing season for the Cairns Taipans, finishing 9th with a 9-24 record as injuries and inconsistency once again derailed their campaign.
The Taipans were hit hard throughout the year, with Reyne Smith, Alex Higgins-Titsha, import Admiral Schofield, and former marquee Sam Waardenburg all battling injuries at different stages of the season. Waardenburg has since departed the club and signed with Melbourne United.
As injuries mounted, there was growing frustration around the lack of roster adjustments from head coach Adam Forde and management. Schofield, in particular, struggled physically during the second half of the season and at times looked far from fully fit. On many teams, an import replacement likely would have been explored, but Cairns has historically been cautious with mid-season spending, and no major changes came.
Despite the frustrations of last season, the Taipans’ off-season has shown far more intent. The club has already re-signed marquee forward Jack McVeigh and sharpshooter Smith, while also securing the return of Keanu Pinder, who played some of the best basketball of his career during his previous stint in Cairns.
With McVeigh and Pinder now paired together in the frontcourt, the Taipans suddenly have one of the more intriguing local combinations in the league, giving the club a much stronger foundation to build around heading into NBL27.
DEPTH CHART
PG: TBC
SG: Reyne Smith
SF: TBC
PF: Jack McVeigh | Keanu Pinder
C: TBC
Even though the roster is still thin, the Cairns Taipans have been far more active this off-season, a noticeable shift compared to last year when the club went more than 100 days without making a roster change. That increased urgency is already being viewed as a positive sign for fans heading into NBL27.
Several names have been linked to the Taipans as they continue building out their local core. Sunday Dech, Kyle Adnam, and Next Star Luke Paul have all been strongly associated with the club, with each potential addition offering experience, versatility, and back-court depth.
The next phase of the rebuild will come down to imports. Cairns still needs a high-level point guard to lead the offence, along with a reliable interior presence to anchor the paint at both ends of the floor. Those two positions will likely define how competitive the Taipans can be next season, as the club continues its search for the right overseas talent to complement its local group.
ILLAWARRA HAWKS
Coming off a disappointing title defence, the Illawarra Hawks remain one of the few clubs yet to make major off-season moves as they look to reset and push back towards championship contention.
The 2025-26 campaign was marked by disruption from the start. The Hawks moved on from import JaQuori McLaughlin after just a handful of games, while injuries further unsettled the group with Jonah Bolden ruled out for the season. On-court chemistry also proved an issue at times, particularly between imports Q. J. Peterson and JaVale McGee.
As a result, Justin Tatum’s side slipped to 8th with a 13-20 record, a far cry from their championship expectations. Still, there is confidence within the program that a healthier, more settled roster can quickly swing things back in the right direction next season.
One major positive has been the retention of Tyler Harvey, who has re-signed and continues his push towards Australian citizenship while remaining a key piece of the Hawks’ offensive structure.
Illawarra still has four roster spots to fill, including two import positions, giving the club flexibility to reshape its identity. With continuity already in place around Harvey, the focus now turns to finding the right pieces to stabilise the rotation and restore their championship edge.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Will Hickey | Kobe McDowell White (DP)
SG: Tyler Harvey (Import)
SF: Wani Swaka Lo Bluk | Dan Grida | Todd Blanchfield
PF: Mason Peatling
C: Sam Froling
It remains unclear where the Illawarra Hawks will turn for their import additions as the 2024-25 NBL champions continue shaping their roster for another title push.
One major positive is the return of Sam Froling to full strength, with the Hawks also locking in a solid local frontcourt core to build around. That stability inside the paint gives the club a strong foundation heading into the new season.
Attention now turns to the import guard spot, which is expected to be the key recruitment focus. After last season’s inconsistencies in ball movement and late-game execution, the Hawks are likely to prioritise a true floor general who can both organise the offence and score when needed.
That addition would ideally complement Will Hickey, who is expected to once again play a major bench role. Hickey has thrived in that energy-driven position, and his impact off the bench will remain an important part of Illawarra’s rotation structure moving forward.
MELBOURNE UNITED
After what looked like a dream start, Melbourne United were flying at 9-0 and sitting firmly on top of the ladder, before the mid-season FIBA break disrupted their rhythm and shifted the entire feel of their campaign. From there, consistency and chemistry never quite returned, and the season slowly slipped away.
United ultimately finished 5th with a 20-13 record, a solid outcome on paper, but below the standard the club has built in recent years. Internally, anything outside the top four is now viewed as underwhelming, which only adds pressure heading into the next season.
Import Milton Doyle and Jesse Edwards had their moments across the year, but the standout performer was clearly Tyson Walker, who remains a free agent. A potential return would immediately shift the balance of power, with Walker emerging as one of the league’s most effective two-way guards during his time in the league.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Shea Ili | Christian D’Angelo (DP)
SG: Chris Goulding | Dash Daniels (Next Star)
SF: TBC
PF: Kyle Bowen
C: Sam Waardenburg | Fabijan Krslovic
The off-season has already delivered a major early boost for United, with Sam Waardenburg arriving as a key addition. As a local marquee who can stretch the floor and play multiple frontcourt roles, he adds valuable flexibility to the roster and immediately strengthens their rotation options.
However, that gain is balanced by a significant loss, with long-time head coach Dean Vickerman departing after nine seasons. His exit leaves a major void at the top of the program, and getting the next appointment right is now seen as critical to maintaining United’s standards.
There is still optimism around the list. Even with change, the framework is there for another championship-calibre team, provided the right pieces are added in the right places.
One expected departure is Dash Daniels, who after a quiet Next Star season is reportedly set to join cross-town rivals the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
For now, United are expected to take a measured approach to the remainder of the off-season. The priority sits firmly on securing the right head coach, with the belief that once that piece is in place, the rest of the roster will naturally fall into line.
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS
The New Zealand Breakers, the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup champions, endured an up-and-down season that still ended on a slightly more positive note despite a challenging overall campaign.
Former head coach Petteri Koponen has since stepped away from the role, but did the best he could with the roster available, keeping the group competitive throughout stretches of the year. The Breakers were often in games late, but a number of winnable match-ups slipped away, ultimately costing them a shot at the final play-in spot, with the Tasmania JackJumpers edging them out.
Import duo Rob Baker II and Izaiah Brockington both showed flashes across the season. Baker’s campaign was unfortunately cut short by a season-ending injury, while Brockington steadily grew into the league, finding rhythm late in the year and showing off his athleticism and ability to score through contact.
The Breakers eventually finished 7th with a 13-20 record, a mark they’ll be eager to improve on heading into the next NBL season.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Parker Jackson-Cartwright (Import) | Preston Le Gassick
SG: Dejan Vasiljevic | Izayah Le’Afa
SF: Carlin Davison
PF: Rueben Te Rangi
C: Sam Mennenga
The Breakers have been one of the more active clubs early in the off-season, with the new ownership already making several key moves as they reshape the roster for the year ahead.
A major early win came with the re-signing of Sam Mennenga on a two-year deal, locking in an important local piece in the frontcourt. That was followed by the addition of Dejan Vasiljevic on a one-year deal, bringing proven scoring and perimeter shooting into the back-court. The club has also added young guard Preston Le Gassick, a steady floor general with a reliable outside shot and growing reputation as a solid rotation piece.
The biggest challenge still sits at head coach. With Petteri Koponen stepping away, the Breakers have already missed out on targets such as Judd Flavell and Mody Maor. Talks are ongoing with experienced coach Gordon Herbert, but until that appointment is finalised, it is difficult to get a clear read on the direction of the roster build.
There is still plenty of work to do. The Breakers have just one import confirmed so far, leaving room to shape the roster around key needs, particularly at power forward. Shooting is also a clear focus after finishing second-last in three-point percentage at just 30.8%.
With time still on their side, the next phase of the off-season will be about finding the right leadership and filling out the remaining gaps to properly support the talent already in place.
PERTH WILDCATS
The Perth Wildcats entered last season in a new era, moving on without then five-time MVP Bryce Cotton and committing to a reshaped identity built around a more balanced roster approach.
The campaign got off to a rocky start with the early release of highly anticipated import Mason Jones, who lasted just five games before being moved on. He was replaced by David Duke Jr., who settled into a more reliable role despite a setback later in the season after a serious elbow injury disrupted his momentum.
Putting aside the club’s decision to move on from Cotton, the Wildcats still delivered a solid season overall. They finished 4th with a 21-12 record and proved particularly strong on the road, winning 11 of 16 away games, even if their home form was more inconsistent at 10-7.
Perth also pushed the reigning champions hard in Game 1 of their semi-final series, but the momentum shifted after an ankle injury to import Dylan Windler proved costly. The Wildcats ultimately went down 2-0 in the series, ending their playoff run earlier than hoped.
In hindsight, it was a mixed year of decisions, with some missteps along the way, but also plenty of positives in how the group adapted. Despite external pressure calling for a traditional point guard structure, Perth still managed to remain one of the league’s most competitive sides throughout the season.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Jaron Rillie
SG: Ben Henshall | Elijah Pepper
SF: Dylan Windler (Import) | Cameron Huefner
PF: Kristian Doolittle (Import) | Jesse Wagstaff
C: Jo Lual-Acuil Jr
The Wildcats are yet to make any major new acquisitions this off-season, but there has still been movement within the roster as the club reshapes its core heading into the next campaign.
Veteran guard Sunday Dech has departed after just one year into a three-year deal, while Next Star Noa Kouakou-Heugue has also moved on in search of greater playing opportunities elsewhere.
On the internal development side, Jaron Rillie has been elevated to the main roster alongside Cameron Huefner, giving Perth more continuity within its local group. As it stands, the Wildcats have eight of their eleven roster spots filled, although that number could drop depending on whether star local guard Ben Henshall opts to pursue college basketball opportunities.
A key piece of business has already been locked in with the re-signing of sharpshooter Elijah Pepper on a two-year deal. The move strengthens the club’s local foundation and reflects a clear focus on retaining players coming off strong individual seasons.
From here, Perth can afford to be patient. The priority now is finding an elite import point guard who can both run the offence and provide scoring punch when needed, a role that will be central to how the Wildcats shape their identity moving forward.
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
The South East Melbourne Phoenix produced the most successful season in franchise history under Josh King, with the head coach’s second year in charge showing clear signs that his fast-paced, perimeter-heavy system is taking full shape.
The Phoenix spent almost the entire 2025-26 season inside the top three, eventually finishing third with a club-record 22-11 mark. It was a season defined by consistency, offensive firepower, and a clear identity that set them apart as one of the league’s most dangerous teams in transition and from beyond the arc.
King’s offensive structure proved particularly effective, with the Phoenix ranking among the league’s best attacking units, only behind the Sydney Kings in overall offensive output.
Import John Brown III was a standout on the defensive end, earning Defensive Player of the Year honours and providing the backbone for much of the team’s success. At the other end, veteran guard Nathan Sobey delivered arguably the best season of his career at 35, thriving within King’s system.
There were early-season adjustments, including the departure of import Vrenz Bleijenbergh, who did not feature in a regular season game, and Hunter Maldonado, who was released mid-year before later joining the Brisbane Bullets. In their place, the Phoenix brought in Ian Clark and Wes Iwundu, both of whom provided experienced, plug-and-play contributions that fit seamlessly into the system.
Despite falling short in the playoffs against the Adelaide 36ers, it was a highly encouraging campaign overall. South East Melbourne look firmly on the right track, with their identity now established and expectations rising heading into next season.
DEPTH CHART
PG: TBC
SG: Nathan Sobey | Angus Glover | Patrick Ryan (DP)
SF: Tanner Krebs | Daniel Foster
PF: Hunter Goodrick
C: Jordan Hunter | Akech Aliir | Ellis Biggar (DP)
The Phoenix have been one of the busier sides early in the off-season, already adding former Melbourne United forward Tanner Krebs and Sydney Kings rebounding specialist Hunter Goodrick, and re-signing Akech Aliir to strengthen their rotation.
While not yet officially confirmed by the club, Owen Foxwell has been removed from the depth chart after committing to Wisconsin in the NCAA, leaving a clear gap in the guard rotation heading into next season.
As it stands, the Phoenix have seven of their core eleven roster spots filled and remain without a single import signed. The situation suggests a shift in direction, with the return of John Brown III now appearing increasingly unlikely as the club explores a different style of play moving forward.
The priority is becoming clearer by the day. Phoenix are in need of a true lead guard to organise the offence, along with a versatile forward-type import who can run the floor, stretch the defence and protect the rim when needed.
Even with work still to do, the Phoenix remain one of the more intriguing teams to watch this off-season, with plenty of flexibility left to shape the final look of the roster.
SYDNEY KINGS
The Sydney Kings are coming off a championship season that needed no introduction, with veteran coach Brian Goorjian once again proving his ability to guide a team through pressure and deliver at the highest level.
It was a campaign that built slowly, with early doubts around whether Goorjian could still steer a title contender at this stage of his career. He answered those questions emphatically, leading the Kings to a finish that saw them crowned 2025-26 NBL champions.
A defining moment came through import Tim Soares, who played a crucial role in the finals and helped swing momentum at key points when the championship race tightened.
Star guard Kendric Davis produced one of the great import seasons, finishing second in MVP voting before taking home the league’s top individual honour, capping off a year where he consistently delivered in big moments.
Now, with the celebrations done, attention turns to what comes next. Potential of back-to-back titles bring an entirely new challenge, and the Kings’ off-season becomes just as compelling as their championship run, with every move now measured against a team that has already reached the summit.
DEPTH CHART
PG: TBC
SG: Matthew Dellavedova | Tyler Robertson
SF: Jaylin Galloway | Makuach Maluach
PF: Xavier Cooks
C: Keli Leaupepe | Jason Spurgin
The biggest question hanging over the Sydney Kings this off-season is the future of Kendric Davis. There is still no clear indication either way on a return, but his decision will heavily shape how the reigning champions look heading into next season.
While nothing is official, Kouat Noi is expected to move on, opening up another key spot in the rotation. In response, the Kings have already secured one of their most quietly important moves of the off-season, locking in Makuach Maluach on a two-year deal after a breakout campaign that has him firmly in contention for Most Improved honours next year.
There is also a significant change in the frontcourt, with championship big man Tim Soares set to depart and continue his career in Japan’s B.League Premier, where he is expected to join the Ibaraki Robots.
At this stage, the Kings have no imports signed and still hold four roster spots open. The framework is there, but plenty of key decisions remain as they attempt to build another title-contending group.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
Since their historic 2023-24 NBL championship, the Tasmania JackJumpers have finished 7th and 6th across the past two seasons, with injuries becoming a recurring theme under head coach Scott Roth.
This off-season has already been shaped by a clear intent to change that trajectory, with the club making significant moves aimed at building a genuine finals push and chasing a second title.
Last season, in particular, was heavily impacted by availability issues. Despite staying competitive for long stretches, the JackJumpers were ultimately undermined by late-season injuries, including season-ending setbacks to centre Will Magnay and import Bryce Hamilton. Additional disruption from guards Ben Ayre and David Johnson further stretched the roster thin when it mattered most.
Roth was visibly emotional at times throughout the campaign, regularly praising the group’s resilience despite the circumstances. That same mentality now underpins the club’s approach heading into the new season, with a clear focus on giving Tasmania another legitimate shot at a championship run.
DEPTH CHART
PG: Taran Armstrong | Ben Ayre
SG:
SF: Nick Marshall
PF: Josh Bannan | Majok Deng
C: Will Magnay | Kobe Williamson | Archie Woodhill (DP)
The off-season hasn’t begun smoothly for the Tasmania JackJumpers, with guard Sean MacDonald re-signing only to suffer another injury that will delay his return, although there is still optimism he could feature at some point during the season.
On a more positive note, the club has made key early progress in shaping a potential title-contending group. Centre Will Magnay has re-signed on a two-year deal with a team option in the second year, locking in a crucial interior presence at the heart of the roster.
There is also growing anticipation around the return of Taran Armstrong, who is expected to come back to the NBL and represent his home state, although that move is still to be officially confirmed by the club.
With three import spots still open, Tasmania are well positioned to shape the remainder of their roster around those key local pieces. The foundation is already in place for a group capable of pushing back into the top four, provided the final additions land as planned.