This development means Harvey will be classified as a non-restricted\/local player for next season and not count as an import on the Hawks\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n
Illawarra will then have three import spots available for the Hungry Jack\u2019s NBL27 Season.<\/p>\n
On the latest episode of The Marketplace, presented by Paywise, ESPN\u2019s Olgun Uluc reported the Hawks are currently in talks with two Americans.<\/p>\n
\u201cA name that I know that they [Illawarra] have had a conversation with, and I’m under the impression it’s just a single conversation, but they’ve engaged, is Jae Crowder,\u201d Uluc said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has played a ton of games in the NBA, and should be a household name to a lot of basketball fans in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey’ve had a conversation, and it’s an idea of the type of player that they can now pursue, because Tyler Harvey is a local.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s a four\/three type in the NBL, and someone who could really stretch the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fellow panellist Pete Hooley believes Crowder would be an amazing fit at the Hawks.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’d be absolutely perfect for the Hawks,\u201d Hooley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would be the exact kind of piece they want, [especially with] the way that Justin Tatum plays.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you [combine him] with the edge that [Will] Hickey plays with, and the physicality of [Mason] Peatling, they\u2019d be a whole lot of fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019d be a team you wouldn\u2019t want to scrap with in a three or five-game series.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The other name the Hawks are reportedly engaged in talks with is former Tasmania and Melbourne star Milton Doyle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talk about a potential big point guard or a big guard that they can sign to play next to Tyler Harvey, and one name that I know they’re in active discussions with is Milton Doyle,\u201d Uluc said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMilton Doyle was with United last season, and there’s always been a sense that he’s wanted to stay in the NBL.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a conversation with the Jack Jumpers. They didn’t go anywhere because they had to pivot, sign someone a little bit cheaper, so they could sign Bryce Hamilton.<\/p>\n
\u2018He’s had conversations with a bunch of teams, but the ones that are currently live and active are with the Illawarra Hawks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you think of Trey Kell III a couple of years ago, a big point guard, a big combo guard who can play some point, who can shoot the ball and is a compliment to Tyler Harvey offensively because Milton Doyle is someone who can score at all three levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe can play the point, but also defensively, someone who I think is competitive and has the size to make up for whatever Tyler Harvey lacks in size.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey wanted someone big next to Tyler, and that’s someone who I know they’re speaking to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hooley believes a signing like Doyle would give Justin Tatum\u2019s side plenty of lineup versatility.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt [the Doyle signing] makes a whole lot of sense too,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe versatility they\u2019d have there with Davo Hickey too. You could close out a game with Hickey, Doyle and Tyler Harvey, while sliding Wani Swaka Lo Buluk to the four for defensive purposes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere would just be a whole lot of different options there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hawks, who have Tyler Harvey, Sam Froling, Todd Blanchfield, Dan Grida, Will Hickey, Kobe McDowell-White, Johny Narkle, Mason Peatling, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, and Amarco Doyle all signed, will open their 2026-27 campaign on Sunday, September 20 against the New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena.<\/p>\n