REPORT: Wildcats zero in on new floor leader

08 Jul 2026

After missing out on one target, the Perth Wildcats have turned their attention to another point guard as they reshape their NBL27 roster.

By

NBL.com.au

The search for the Perth Wildcats' vacant point guard spot is heating up, with the club shifting gears after missing out on a key target.

“Patty Mills was someone who was on their radar,” ESPN’s Olgun Uluc reported on NBL Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“They’re now pivoting to an import point guard, that is what they’re looking for.”

The Wildcats had explored every avenue in an attempt to lure the five-time Olympian, but Mills has reportedly agreed to join French powerhouse ASVEL, where he will reunite with Tony Parker.

With that pursuit over, the Wildcats have turned their attention to a new target, with Uluc revealing the latest name on their radar.

“Xavier Simpson, remember we threw that name around a bit (last season). He led the Euro Cup in assists. We knew the type of player they were looking for … an organising type,” he said.

“Now we look this season, who led the Euro Cup in assists? Arnus Velicka. The Bullets already have him … so where do you pivot to if you’re the Wildcats?

“Well, who led the G League in assists? That was Darius Brown.”

The 26-year-old Brown is coming off an outstanding G League season after signing a two-way contract with Cleveland earlier this year.

“That is someone I who I know the Wildcats are quite interested in,” Uluc added.

“I was told that they had put an offer toward him the last week or two.”

Perth's latest pursuit offers a clearer picture of how the club plans to round out a roster already stacked with elite talent.

“It’s a good indication for us on the level of player, the type of player they’re looking for,” Pete Hooley added.

“An organiser, they’re looking for a leader, a table setter and it makes sense.

“You look at their roster … you’ve got one of the best offensive big men in the league in JLA (Jo Lual-Acuil Jr). You’ve got arguably the best two-way player in the league in Kristian Doolittle ... Dylan Windler we saw get more aggressive last year and then Elijah Pepper who is ready to break out.

“You don’t need someone who will take 20 shots a game and that’s what hurt them last year. There was no one to organise the floor.“