They may only have two players under contract for the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL27 season, but the Cairns Taipans’ roster is slowly coming together.<\/p>\n
Australian Boomers pair Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith are locked in and now it’s time to build from there.<\/p>\n
Now, Olgun Uluc is reporting the Taipans could be adding another green and gold star, one who is familiar with the club – Keanu Pinder. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think there is a real possibility [that Keanu Pinder returns to Cairns],\u201d ESPN\u2019s Olgun Uluc said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some names that we mentioned flippantly, but this is one that I think is a legitimate consideration for both parties.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big question with Cairns, as always, is whether they can find the money? But I get a sense that they have a way to find the money for Keanu Pinder.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that case, they could have two of the highest-paid local players at the four and five [positions] with McVeigh and Keanu Pinder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is legitimate hope from the Taipans that they might be able to land Keanu Pinder.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
2018 NBL champion Pete Hooley has also been hearing about a potential reunion for Pinder and the club he won back-to-back Most Improved Player awards with.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of me is starting to feel that if he [Pinder] wasn’t wearing a Cairns jersey next year, I’d be shocked,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust from all the conversations I’m hearing, combined with his relationship with Adam Forde [it lines up].<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve enjoyed success together on the court, and I believe Pinder will represent Australia at the next Olympics for 3×3, and who\u2019s the coach of that team, it\u2019s Adam Forde.<\/p>\n
\u201c[I hope it does happen] because a reunion would be really fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
In terms of fit, 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker believes Pinder\u2019s fit next to sharpshooters McVeigh and Smith would be excellent.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt [this potential signing] suits Jack McVeigh’s game as well because when you look at his success down in Tasmania, he had an athletic rim protector in Will Magnay,\u201d Rucker said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA guy that gave high effort, similar to what Keanu Pinder can provide, a guy with a lot of athleticism.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like his offensive game has been developing in Japan, and we\u2019ve seen what he can do in Cairns, where he established himself as a true star.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinder has spent five season in the NBL, with Adelaide, Cairns and most recently in Perth, before playing abroad in China (Shanxi Loongs) and Japan (Akita Northern Happinets).<\/p>\n
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