JackJumpers Free Agency

Following the news of Scott Roth committing to the JackJumpers for three years through to 2024/25 we turn our attention to the players, with the free agency period now open

With all its local player spots already filled, the focus will initially be on filling the import spots (up to three spots) then later filling the development player spots (up to three) and potentially a Next-Star (one spot). We take a bit of a look at what the JackJumpers will be looking for to fill these final spots.

What do the JackJumpers need?

Rebounding

The JackJumpers were already one of the smallest teams in the league at the start of the 21/22 season, but this was further magnified with the season-ending injury to 6 foot 10 Will Magnay. The JackJumpers finished the season ranked ninth in the league in rebounds per game with 34.8.

The Grand final series with Sydney also highlighted their lack of defensive bigs, as the kings were able to score over 40 points in the paint in all three games. So a Power Forward/Centre who can rebound and defend the post is what the JackJumpers would be looking for.

More scoring options

The JackJumpers ranked last in points per game in 21/22 NBL season averaging 79.6 points. Josh Adams led the teams scoring with 17.5 points per game, Jack McVeigh (12.2) and Josh Magette (11.6) were the only others in double figures.

Although he put up some big numbers, Josh Adams scoring was inconsistent at times. He had nine games with 11 points or less and ten games of 23 points or more. He found his rhythm later in the season, but when he was struggling to score they could of used another consistant scoring option.

Starting Guards

Magette and Adams were a great 1-2 guard combination for the team in their foundation year. At the moment, there isn’t really anyone signed who would be able to fill those roles. So its more than likely they would be looking to retain those two again next season, or similar players to fill those two roles.

Will Josh Magette and Josh Adams be back next season?

Will they keep their current imports?

All three imports are currently out of contract after signing one-year deals but have all indicated that they would like remain with the JackJumpers. Retaining Magette and Adams would be an ideal for Tasmania, they fit in well with the teams culture and the club knows what they are getting from them on and off the court.

It has been reported by the NBL that the JackJumpers are close to making official offers to Magette and Adams. However, Roth has warned that it might be tough to hold onto them after such a successful season.

“The reality is, money talks and where they’re at in their life talks, what they’re looking for down the road talks. We’ll try to be as accommodating as we can to make them come back here,” Roth said.

“Let’s not fool ourselves, Josh Adams has played very well, he’s taken a pay cut to come here the first time. If he chooses not to come back the second time, we’ve done our job to make these guys better players, better people, send them out, make more money, you have a short window of time in your lifetime to do that. There’s nothing wrong with that.

“If they move on, it’s congratulations, and we’ve done our job to make them more money somewhere else or more opportunities somewhere else. That’s not a bad thing.”

Will Roth and Adams combination continue in 2023?

It appears MiKyle McIntosh is not in the immediate picture for the JackJumpers next season. After a slow start to the season start to season, he showed his worth late in the season with some big games. However, as an undersized forward at 6’7″ he was never an ideal fit in the lineup that really lacked a post presence, especially when Magnay went out for the season.

Who will they target?

As mentioned above Adams and Magette will be the obvious first choices for the two guard spots. If they are unable to secure them, they likely will look towards some of the other NBL import guards who are still in the marketplace or look outside.

The forward/centre role is a quite open, but they will need to get the balance right between any new big fitting alongside the roles of Magnay and McVeigh. Magnay plays the centre mostly but does play well in the power forward role, while McVeigh flourished as an undersized power forward role for the JackJumpers.

Magnay has never been a high volume minutes player, he averaged a career high 23 minutes per game last season. So there will be opportunites for a big to play alongside Magnay, but also step into the center role when Magnay is off the floor, allowing McVeigh to move to power forward role.

Initially the JackJumpers would look at a few imports currently in the NBL who are off contract, as it takes a few of the “unknowns” that come with some overseas-based players. A couple of bigs who initially jump out would be

Robert Franks – he was one of the positives out of a disappointing season for Brisbane. Franks averaged 18.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, while knocking down 2.3 threes per contest. But will be chased by several teams in free agency.

Jarell Martin – JackJumpers saw first hand what an asssett he is on teh boards and at the offensive end. Kings will trying to bring him back but he may be a casualty of a number of championship players looking for a payrise. Jarell averaged 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds last season.

Stephan Zimmerman – a bit a surprise here, but Zimmerman is the classic big man in the paint. He isn’t looking for jump shots, he is posting up and rebounding. Injuries derailed his time in Cairns, but he still averaged 11.4 points at 53% and was 2nd in the NBL with 9.6 rebounds per game. Zimmerman would provide a great high-low combination with Magnay, allowing Magnay to play more of his outside game. Zimmerman in the post would also provide an decent option late in the shot clock when a play has been blown up by the offence and they need a high percentage shot.

Sydney Kings Jarell Martin and Brisbane Bullets Robert Franks are both off-contract this off season.

Local players

Outside of imports, the Jackjumpers could also use their import spot on a local player. We understand that the NBL “marquee” signing could come into play here too, which is designed to bring high-level Australian players to the NBL, and teams have the majority of the players salary not apply to the team salary cap. Will Magnay was a marquee player for the JackJumpers in his initial one-year contract, but its understood this was not applied through Magnay’s recent two-year deal.

This would allow the JackJumpers to utilise the marquee player option to chase a high level Australian bigs such as Duop Reath or Xavier Cooks (who are both off contract in the NBL but exploring overseas options) or target some overseas based aussies such as Nick Kay (Japan), Brock Motum (France) or Thon Maker (G league).

Then finally for development players, we’ll see a few changes next season. At 25 years, Jock Perry is now too old to be a DP, while Serj Deans is heading off the play college basketball. Sean Macdonald could return but will seek a full-time roster spot with another NBL team first. This however opens 2-3 opportunities for local players to join the team.

Next-Star?

The option of a Next Star will be of interest to the JackJumpers, but with only a small pool of next star players available, it wouldn’t play a huge part of their future planning at this stage.

Their previous Next Star Nikita Mikhailovskii didn’t quite pan out the way they had hoped, and the JackJumpers would of learned a lot about the process. As an undersized forward Nikita was limited for opportunities behind several of his teammates who were excelling on the defensive end.

So if they we to look at a next star it likely would be a power forward or centre. It would provide extra depth at those positions and also give a next star more of an opportunities for minutes. You just have to look at the last NBL season and how other next stars such as the Kings 6’11” Makur Maker (7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds) or Melbourne United’s 7 footer Ariel Hukporti (6.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks) could of played significant roles with the JackJumpers.