Taipans wish list hit
THE Cairns Taipans are set to embark on a frenetic period of player signings following yesterday's shock announcement that the Melbourne Tigers would join the new elite men's basketball competition.
The Tigers, who announced earlier this month they would join the South Dragons in pulling out of the competition, will now compete in an eight-team league due to start in September or October.
The decision has already caused NBL great Chris Anstey to shelve retirement plans, while players from the Dragons could be tempted to switch allegiances to the national powerhouse.
The Taipans made it clear they were targeting players from the two Victorian clubs and will have some swift negotiations over the next week.
Taipans president Denis Donaghy said the club was close to agreeing to terms with several players but yesterday’s announcement could change their plans.
"Have we targeted any players who have played for the Tigers? Yes we have," he said
"Are we likely to sign them? I’ll be able to tell you in the next week because the announcement today changes things a bit."
Basketball Australia announced yesterday clubs would have a $1 million salary cap next season, down from the proposed $1.2 million.
The Taipans plan to spend only $800,000 on player contracts.
"If we are competing with $800,000 we are at a disadvantage but if it was $1.2 million it would have been a much bigger disadvantage," Donaghy said.
The Taipans have been linked to former Dragon Mark Worthington, but may miss out on 25-year-old Tiger David Barlow.
"You’d imagine he would be high on (Melbourne’s) priority list for players to re-sign," Donaghy said of Barlow.
Donaghy hopes Basketball Australia awards playing licences and approves a players’ agreement today so clubs can start signing letters of intent early next week.
Tigers majority owner Seamus McPeake said his club would rush to sign players.
HOW IT WORKS* Season starts: October
* Teams: Melbourne Tigers, Adelaide 36ers, Cairns Taipans, Gold Coast Blaze, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats, Townsville Crocodiles, Wollongong Hawks
* Schedule: 14 home, 14 away games
* Finals: Four-team finals involving three-game semi-finals and grand final series.
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