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BREAKERS FORCED TO MAKE CHANGE?<\/p>\n
The Gordon Herbert era at the New Zealand Breakers has gotten off to a rocky start, with the club winning its season-opener against the Illawarra Hawks before dropping its next two games.<\/p>\n
Now, with Herbert himself admitting the Breakers need help, the club could be forced into making some difficult early roster decisions.<\/p>\n
Fox Sports Australia understands the Breakers are considering potential replacements for two players as injuries continue to test their depth, with every win incredibly valuable in a tightly contested NBL season.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: How NBA legend helped shape NBL superstar\u2019s wild journey… and the one prize still missing<\/a><\/p>\n One of those players is rookie Preston Le Gassick, who signed a two-year deal with the Breakers in May after coming off a championship-winning season with the Gold Coast Rollers in NBL1 North.<\/p>\n Preston Le Gassick of the Breakers drives at the basket during the 2026 NBL Blitz match between Tasmania JackJumpers and New Zealand Breakers at Red Energy Arena on September 06, 2026 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Le Gassick, 23, is yet to make his NBL debut after initially battling an ankle injury that delayed the start of his season.<\/p>\n However, the point guard has now suffered another setback, with sources telling Fox Sports Australia that Le Gassick is dealing with a nerve injury in his neck.<\/p>\n There is currently no official timeline for his recovery, but if the injury is deemed to be long-term, the Breakers could be forced to consider moving on from Le Gassick while he recovers.<\/p>\n It would be a difficult and unusual decision for the club, given the potential move would be driven by his health rather than his ability.<\/p>\n Preston Le Gassick of the Breakers drives at the basket during the 2026 NBL Blitz match between New Zealand Breakers and Sydney Kings at Red Energy Arena on September 04, 2026 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Another player whose immediate future could come under consideration is import Josiah-Jordan James.<\/p>\n James suffered a hamstring tear during a pre-season clash against Melbourne United on September 10, with the Breakers later confirming he was expected to miss four to six weeks.<\/p>\n NBL Super Coach: Experts reveal must-have buy as $479k superstar gets unanimous backing<\/a><\/p>\n With the import still sidelined, Fox Sports Australia understands the Breakers could look to bring in another guard should they ultimately decide to move on from James.<\/p>\n Josiah Jordan-James of the Breakers looks on from the bench during the round one NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena, on September 20, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n That possibility comes after Herbert publicly acknowledged the need for another ball-handler following the Breakers\u2019 loss to the Perth Wildcats.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought Parker was outstanding, but he has to do everything and we need another ball handler,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s evident.\u201d<\/p>\n Parker Jackson-Cartwright has carried a significant load through the opening three games, leading the Breakers in both scoring (26.3 points per game) and assists (9.3).<\/p>\n The MVP candidate remains the focal point of New Zealand\u2019s offence, but the need for another ball-handler has become increasingly evident.<\/p>\n Adding another guard would not only take some of the pressure off Jackson-Cartwright, but potentially allow the Breakers to move away from relying so heavily on isolation possessions while creating more opportunities for the players around him.<\/p>\n Josiah-Jordan James of the Breakers takes possession of the ball during the 2026 NBL Blitz match between New Zealand Breakers and Sydney Kings at Red Energy Arena on September 04, 2026 in Bendigo, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock\/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n No decision has been made on either Le Gassick or James, with both remaining on the Breakers\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n However, with New Zealand sitting seventh at 1-2 ahead of tonight\u2019s clash against the Cairns Taipans, the club faces an important decision over how long it can afford to wait.<\/p>\n For a team already dealing with significant injury concerns and limited depth off the bench, making an early roster move could become necessary if the Breakers want to remain firmly in the hunt this season.<\/p>\n JACKJUMPERS BRING IN REINFORCEMENTS<\/p>\n The Tasmania JackJumpers have wasted no time addressing their growing injury list, with several players currently sidelined for the foreseeable future and the club moving quickly to add reinforcements.<\/p>\n In a statement released by the club, the JackJumpers confirmed Biwali Bayles and Kody Stattmann will join the roster as Injury Replacement Players, stepping in for Ben Ayre (hip flexor) and Anthony Drmic (back).<\/p>\n Stattmann arrives in Tasmania for what will be his fourth NBL club since making his league debut with the Brisbane Bullets during the 2022-23 season.<\/p>\n