Hawks' Season Concludes, Off-Season Planning Begins
The Illawarra Hawks' NBL26 campaign will officially conclude on February 18 with a road game against Tasmania, marking an early end for the defending champions who will miss the post-season entirely. With just three games remaining, any hope of a finals appearance has evaporated, forcing the club to shift focus toward the rapidly approaching off-season. Official pre-season activities are expected to commence in less than six months, making roster decisions urgent and critical.
Contract Landscape and Player Movements
Understanding the NBL's complex contract system is key to navigating the Hawks' upcoming decisions. Teams typically have 11-13 full contract spots, including up to three imports, plus development players and Next Stars who don't count toward the main roster. For Illawarra, several players face uncertain futures as contracts expire or options loom.
Injured big man Jonah Bolden will become a free agent, while Biwali Bayles has a team option for his second season, leaving his status undecided. All four development players—Luca Yates, Jackson Ball, Johny Narkle, and Kobe McDowell-White—will be off-contract, with Ball confirmed to depart for college basketball at the University of Wisconsin. Nominated replacement player Harry Froling and injury replacement Jonah Antonio will also enter free agency.
Import players JaVale McGee and QJ Peterson are set to become free agents, with neither publicly committing to a return. McGee, a three-time NBA champion, has expressed a desire for new experiences, suggesting he may not remain in Wollongong. "It's another opportunity for me to conquer a country, visit and see the fans, and experience basketball in another country," McGee said, hinting at potential moves within the NBL or overseas.
Tyler Harvey's Citizenship and Roster Implications
The status of co-captain Tyler Harvey adds another layer of complexity. Recently granted permanent Australian residence, Harvey is midway through a multi-year deal that runs through NBL27. While consensus suggests he could be converted from an import to a local player ahead of his final contract year, there is chatter that the naturalisation process might not be complete before round one of NBL27, potentially delaying this change until NBL28. The club has been sought for clarification on how this will be handled.
Currently, six local players are locked in for next season: Sam Froling, Dan Grida, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk, Davo Hickey, Mason Peatling, and Todd Blanchfield. This leaves seven full contract spots available—or six, depending on Bayles' option—to be filled with imports and locals, alongside decisions on development player slots.
Season Statistics and Areas for Improvement
Despite a disappointing finish, the Hawks showed strengths in several statistical categories. Prior to round 20, they ranked second in pace, first in blocks (4.6 per game) and rebounds (44.4 per game), third in field goal percentage (47%), and fourth in points per game (92.6). McGee was instrumental, tying for first in blocks per game (1.8) and ranking second in rebounds (9.9 per game). Hickey placed fourth in assists (6.7 per game), Swaka Lo Buluk second in three-point percentage (43.5%), Peterson third in three-pointers made (2.5), and Harvey fourth in free-throw percentage (89.5%).
However, glaring weaknesses emerged, particularly in turnovers and perimeter defense. Illawarra tied with Brisbane for the most turnovers per game (13.8), with Hickey, McGee, and Harvey contributing significantly. The team also ranked 10th in opponent three-pointers allowed, conceding 11.2 per game, highlighting a need for defensive discipline.
Free Agency Targets and Recruitment Strategy
As the Hawks enter free agency, priorities include bolstering frontcourt depth, enhancing defensive presence, and improving ball security. The departure of players like Darius Days, Trey Kell III, Hyun-Jung Lee, and Lachlan Olbrich proved more impactful than anticipated, affecting both talent and team chemistry. This off-season offers a chance to rebuild without the pressure of a championship hangover.
Key free agents who could address these needs include:
- Sam Mennenga (F): For frontcourt depth, Mennenga offers size and strength, having averaged 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds this season.
- Will Magnay: To boost defensive presence, Magnay leads the league in blocks per game (1.8) and averages seven rebounds, despite injury concerns.
- Angus Glover (G): For ball security, Glover averages just one turnover in 21 minutes per game, providing efficient bench support.
Securing a solid import trio is also crucial, especially after the early-season issues with axed guard JaQuori McLaughlin. The Hawks' recruitment will focus on filling gaps left by last season's losses and building a roster capable of returning to contention in NBL27.
