Report: Taipans big firming as United target

This off-season looms as a crucial one for Melbourne United, with only six players under contract for next year.

Those six include Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Kyle Bowen, Fabijan Krslovic, Dash Daniels and Finn Delany (mutual option).

There's also rumours swirling about the future of Dean Vickerman and his aspirations of coaching overseas.

That means the likes of import trio, Tyson Walker, Milton Doyle and Jesse Edwards, are all question marks for next season.

On the latest episode of The Marketplace, presented by Paywise, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc reports that United are planning to go down the path of a local centre during the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season, instead of using that spot on an import.

“Melbourne United had Jesse Edwards at the five spot last season, and we knew that they would probably have to go and get one of those marquee bigs that we've spoken about in the past, like Will Magnay, Sam Mennenga or Sam Waardenburg,” Uluc said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“It feels like they're a team that'll end up as the front-runner for Sam Wardenburg.

“Big Kiwi, 16 and 6 this last season. Only played eight games, so the durability is a legitimate concern, but the talent is not.

“We know how talented he is, and we know how much Dean Vickerman loves his Kiwis.”

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Fellow panellist and 2018 NBL Pete Hooley believes Waardenburg would be a great signing for United, who were knocked out in the Play-In Game by Perth this season.

“You think about the Dean Vickerman-type system, the Melbourne United-type system, what they like to do and what's been really successful with them in the past, that’s the marquee big man. They Jock Landale and they had JLA (Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.),” Hooley said.

“To be able to use that [system], with someone who can step out, shoot the three-ball, can play on both ends and put the ball on the floor, would be a very strong signing if they can get it done.

“We talk about Sam Waardenburg a whole lot and mentioned on the last Marketplace that it [a return] was never going to happen in Cairns.”

As NBL commentator Jack Heverin points out, this potential signing is interesting when you consider that Finn Delany’s future is still unclear.

Uluc is also intrigued by what the potential signing of Waardenburg does for United’s team makeup.

“Firstly, you're looking at what they do with Shea Ili and Chris Goulding, and where they sit,” Uluc said.

“Not on the team, they'll be on the team, but in the rotation where they sit.

“Then what imports they [United] go with. Locking in a local at the five spot allows you to be more creative with your imports.

“That's what United can do now, while it’s something they couldn't do last season because of Jesse Edwards. While talented, it [an import big man like Edwards] does hamstring you a little bit.”

While it seems that Edwards won’t be returning, Uluc reports that fellow United import Walker might also be out the door, with two other NBL sides keen on his signature.

A change might also be in the air for NBA Draft hopeful Dash Daniels.

“There is some smoke around Dash Daniels being interested in a move down the highway to the South East Melbourne Phoenix,” Uluc said.

“The Phoenix, from what I know, are quite interested in Dash Daniels. There have been meetings between the two parties, so that is something that would surprise me if it didn't eventuate sometime soon.”

Hooley believes a move to the Heartland club could ‘accelerate his growth’.

“There’s no surprise that all that the Phoenix would have interest in him [Daniels],” Hooley said.

“Also, probably no surprise that the Dash and Melbourne United say let's do what's best for you. And if that is to go down the highway, depending on what we've got.

“Chris Golding is still there [at United], as is Shea Ili. He doesn't play the same position [as them], but in terms of him [Daniels] accelerating his growth, it would make a whole lot of sense.”

Game 5 of the Championship Series tips off at 2.30pm AEST on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, live on ESPN and 10.

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