REPORT: Gleeson 'left waiting' by 36ers

Since the final siren sounded on the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Championship Series, the Adelaide 36ers have made a number of changes.

The Sixers first mutually parted ways with two-time NBL champion Dejan Vasiljevic.

They then signed defensive dynamo Bul Kuol from Sydney on a two-year deal.

But one change the team from the City of Churches won’t be making will be in their head coaching position.

Despite reported unrest at the club, 36ers owner Grant Kelley emphatically backed Mike Wells, as did six-time MVP Bryce Cotton.

This support aligns with the reporting by ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, who explained how the Sixers passed on the opportunity to bring five-time NBL champion, Trevor Gleeson.

"Look, Trevor Gleason is with Chiba [in Japan], but I've heard that he was waiting for Adelaide, and that position, which makes sense," Uluc said to basketball.com.au.

"The opportunity to coach Bryce again, [combined with the fact] he wants to be back in the NBL.

“[Especially at a place] where you know they have an owner in Grant Kelly who's willing to spend a lot of money.

“They just went to a Championship Series; they didn't win it, so there's no extra pressure of having to repeat, which is probably a good thing if you're a new coach coming into that franchise.

"They're a team that has obviously had success this past season, and you're going into a ready-made product.

“But unfortunately, [it seems] he's going to have to wait a bit longer because I don't envision Mike Wells going anywhere."

Uluc went on to explain the Sixers prioritised continuity, as they try to maximise the time they have prime Bryce Cotton on their roster.

"After every season, there are discussions, especially in a place like Adelaide, where there's a lot of noise,” Uluc said.

“You have the discussions, you do exit meetings, and they did a player survey at the end, which determined that Mike Wells should fulfil the remainder of his contract.

"He's got one more year left, but this isn't the decision that any team can make flippantly. Bryce Cotton's about to turn 34. You can't just mess around with a franchise like that and keep a guy for the wrong reasons; you keep a guy because you believe that he could potentially do it.”

In more coaching news, Uluc explained he also expects both Melbourne’s Dean Vickerman and Cairns’ Adam Forde to return in NBL27.

“There was always the question about Dean Vickerman, and everyone knew that there was mutual Japan interest out there, but the sense I get as of today is that he's returning. They're preparing for him to return,” Uluc said.

"Every coach that's locked in right now, every decision, every franchise, every ownership is preparing for that coach to return, and that includes Adam Forde in Cairns, who has the ability to lead if he wants to, and the sense is that he will more than likely stay."

Heading into the NB27 campaign, the 36ers have Cotton, Kuol, Zylan Cheatham, Flynn Cameron, Isaac Humphries, Nick Rakocevic, Isaac White and Ben Griscti on their roster.