The NBL season is winding down, but that only means free agency is about to heat up.
As the Championship Series between the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers builds toward a decider, front offices around the league are already turning their attention to what shapes as a pivotal free agency period.
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Several marquee names are in play, emerging prospects are weighing their next steps, and multiple teams are positioning themselves to make significant splashes the moment the window opens.
Here’s all of the latest intel — according to multiple sources who spoke with ESPN — the moves that have already been made, and every team’s contracted players and free agents.
Ingles, Waardenburg, Daniels and more: Our latest intel
– Melbourne United has emerged as a frontrunner for Kiwi forward Sam Waardenburg. After four seasons with the Cairns Taipans, Waardenburg enters the NBL offseason as one of the most sought-after frontcourt players, and United is the favourite to earn his signature once free agency opens. He averaged 15.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, in the eight contests he suited up for.
– Joe Ingles has interest in returning to the NBL, and the growing sentiment is that he’s keeping a close eye on both Melbourne teams. Ingles has spoken with both United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, while the Adelaide 36ers appear to be the most proactive team chasing the five-time Olympian. Ingles is in his 12th season in the NBA, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
– Dash Daniels is eyeing a move away from United, and the South East Melbourne Phoenix have emerged as the favourite to land the Next Star. The 18-year-old is one of Australia’s budding NBA prospects and the younger brother of Dyson Daniels; he averaged 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for United. The Victorian has met with the Phoenix, and the expectation is they’re the frontrunner to add him to their program.
– Kendric Davis and the Sydney Kings remain in talks on a potential extension. The Kings have tabled a two-year deal for the MVP runner-up.
– Ben Henshall has one year remaining on his contract with the Wildcats, but recently signed new NIL representation, indicating that the 21-year-old guard is eyeing a move to college. Henshall averaged 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game for the Wildcats over the 2025-26 NBL season, and has already drawn interest from a plethora of high-major programs. After an unsuccessful bid to go down the college route at this time last year, there’s confidence Henshall will earn eligibility.
– Tyson Walker — who’s coming off an impressive year with United — is drawing interest from around the league. The Phoenix and Wildcats are preparing to show interest in the import point guard, who averaged 14.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game over his first season in the NBL.
– Multiple teams around the league are monitoring Reyne Smith, whose team option with the Cairns Taipans has yet to be picked up. Smith is one of Australia’s rising shooters — averaging 9.9 points per game, shooting 35.9% from downtown in 14 contests over his rookie season in the NBL — so there would be considerable interest in his services if the Taipans don’t pick up his option.
– The New Zealand Breakers are still eyeing Mody Maor to fill their vacant head coach position, and progress on a reunion is being made. Maor coached the Breakers from 2022-2024 — leading them to a Championship Series — before signing with Nagasaki Velca in Japan.
– The Illawarra Hawks have a strong desire to sign Wani Swaka Lo Buluk to a long-term contract. The 24-year-old has a team option for the 2026-27 NBL season. The Hawks have not picked up Biwali Bayles’ team option for the 2026-27 season.
Moves that have already been made
– Sam Mennenga has signed a new two-year deal to return to the New Zealand Breakers.
– Sean Macdonald has signed a new one-year deal to return to the Tasmania JackJumpers.
– Angus Glover has signed a new two-year deal to remain with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
– Nick Rakocevic has signed a new one-year deal to remain with the Adelaide 36ers.
– Both Jack McVeigh and the Cairns Taipans have opted in to his mutual option for the 2026-27 NBL season.
Kendric Davis and the Sydney Kings remain in talks on a potential extension. Mark Metcalfe/Getty ImagesEvery free agent and contracted player
Adelaide 36ers
Contracted: Nick Rakocevic, Zylan Cheatham, Bryce Cotton, Isaac Humphries, Flynn Cameron, Isaac White, Ben Griscti, Dejan Vasiljevic
Free agents: John Jenkins, Matt Kenyon, Michael Harris, Keanu Rasmussen
Brisbane Bullets
Contracted: Jacob Holt, Taine Murray, Tyrell Harrison, Mitch Norton
Free agents: Casey Prather, Terry Taylor, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Alex Ducas, Tohi Smith-Milner, Tristan Devers
Options: Sam McDaniel (mutual), Jensen Bradtke (mutual)
Contracted: Jack McVeigh
Free agents: Andrew Andrews, Admiral Schofield, Marcus Lee, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kyle Adnam, Kody Stattmann, Kyrin Galloway, Sam Waardenburg, Mojave King
Options: Reyne Smith (team)
Illawarra Hawks
Contracted: Daniel Grida, Sam Froling, Will Hickey, Todd Blanchfield, Mason Peatling, Tyler Harvey
Free agents: Johny Narkle, JaVale McGee, QJ Peterson, Jonah Bolden, Biwali Bayles
Options: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (team), Harry Froling (team)
Melbourne United
Contracted: Fabijan Krslovic, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Kyle Bowen
Free agents: Jesse Edwards, Tyson Walker, Milton Doyle, Tanner Krebs, Malith Machar, Tom Wilson
Options: Finn Delany (mutual)
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New Zealand Breakers
Contracted: Sam Mennenga, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Reuben Te Rangi, Izayah Le’Afa
Free agents: Rob Baker II, Izaiah Brockington, Rob Loe, Sean Bairstow, Carlin Davison, Max Darling
Options: Taylor Britt (team)
Perth Wildcats
Contracted: Kristian Doolitte, Dylan Windler, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., Jaron Rillie, Cameron Huefner, Ben Henshall
Free agents: David Duke Jr., Elijah Pepper, David Okwera, Jesse Wagstaff
Options: Lat Mayen (team)
South East Melbourne Phoenix
Contracted: Nathan Sobey, Jordan Hunter, Owen Foxwell (however, is college bound), Angus Glover, Daniel Foster
Free agents: Ian Clark, Wes Iwundu, John Brown III, Akech Aliir, DJ Mitchell,
Sydney Kings
Contracted: Xavier Cooks, Jason Spurgin, Jaylin Galloway, Matthew Dellavedova
Free agents: Torrey Craig, Tim Soares, Kendric Davis, Shaun Bruce, Makuach Maluach
Options: Bul Kuol (mutual), Tyler Robertson (team), Keli Leaupepe (team), Kouat Noi (team)
Tasmania JackJumpers
Contracted: Josh Bannan, Nick Marshall, Sean Macdonald
Free agents: Bryce Hamilton, Tyger Campbell, David Johnson, Will Magnay, Anthony Drmic, Majok Deng, Nick Stoddart
Options: Ben Ayre (mutual)