REPORT: Will Cairns get a former Snake on a plane?

They may only have two players under contract for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season, but the Cairns Taipans' roster is slowly coming together.

Australian Boomers pair Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith are locked in and now it's time to build from there.

Now, Olgun Uluc is reporting the Taipans could be adding another green and gold star, one who is familiar with the club - Keanu Pinder.

“I think there is a real possibility [that Keanu Pinder returns to Cairns],” ESPN’s Olgun Uluc said on The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“There are some names that we mentioned flippantly, but this is one that I think is a legitimate consideration for both parties.

“The big question with Cairns, as always, is whether they can find the money? But I get a sense that they have a way to find the money for Keanu Pinder.

“In that case, they could have two of the highest-paid local players at the four and five [positions] with McVeigh and Keanu Pinder.

“There is legitimate hope from the Taipans that they might be able to land Keanu Pinder.”

2018 NBL champion Pete Hooley has also been hearing about a potential reunion for Pinder and the club he won back-to-back Most Improved Player awards with.

“Part of me is starting to feel that if he [Pinder] wasn't wearing a Cairns jersey next year, I'd be shocked,” he said.

“Just from all the conversations I'm hearing, combined with his relationship with Adam Forde [it lines up].

“They’ve enjoyed success together on the court, and I believe Pinder will represent Australia at the next Olympics for 3x3, and who’s the coach of that team, it’s Adam Forde.

“[I hope it does happen] because a reunion would be really fun.”

In terms of fit, 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker believes Pinder’s fit next to sharpshooters McVeigh and Smith would be excellent.

“It [this potential signing] suits Jack McVeigh's game as well because when you look at his success down in Tasmania, he had an athletic rim protector in Will Magnay,” Rucker said.

“A guy that gave high effort, similar to what Keanu Pinder can provide, a guy with a lot of athleticism.

“It looks like his offensive game has been developing in Japan, and we’ve seen what he can do in Cairns, where he established himself as a true star.”

Pinder has spent five season in the NBL, with Adelaide, Cairns and most recently in Perth, before playing abroad in China (Shanxi Loongs) and Japan (Akita Northern Happinets).