Team-by-Team: Inside your club’s Summer League moves

NBA Summer League isn’t just about what happens on the court. Behind the scenes in Las Vegas, NBL coaches and executives have been holding meetings, tracking targets and working to secure the pieces that could shape NBL27.

From major signings and live contract talks to breakout performances and future scouting, here’s what every club has been up to during a busy week in Vegas.

>> NBL27 Roster Tracker: Every signing, extension and departure

Adelaide arrived at Summer League with its NBL27 roster already complete, with General Manager of Basketball Operations Matt Weston highlighting the club’s continuity and key off-season changes.

“For Adelaide, it’s unusual for us to be done this early,” Weston said.

“We made a tough decision, we believe the right one, to part ways with DJ (Vasiljevic). We were going in another direction and we brought in Bul (Kuol). Otherwise, we’re all the same.

“Obviously Mike’s (Wells) left, we brought Trevor (Gleeson) in, who’s got a pedigree that everyone knows. I can see us getting an instant sort of 15 per cent uplift just with that, plus bringing Bul in.”

Flynn Cameron made his mark for Portland, tallying 11 points, two rebounds and two assists against Orlando before adding three assists in seven minutes against Minnesota.

“I feel like I’m ready, I think the NBL has prepped me,” Cameron said.

While other clubs were still hunting for talent at Summer League, the Bullets moved quickly to secure two key imports in Arnas Velička and Nate Hinton, with new coach Will Weaver bringing his NBL27 roster together nicely.

“I am excited for our fans to enjoy the relentless energy Nate brings every time he steps on the floor,” Weaver said.

“Where Nate goes, wins follow and I believe he is primed for a career year.

“Like Arnas Velička, he believes Brisbane is the right place for him to get to the very top, and that's exactly the type of ambitious competitor we want in our program.”

Cairns has already secured several key pieces, including Next Star Luke Paul, Keanu Pinder, Sunday Dech and Shaun Bruce, but still has plenty of work to do.

The Taipans emerged as a team to watch during ESPN’s Olgun Uluc’s reporting from Las Vegas, particularly around their decision to carry only two imports.

“Keep an eye on the Cairns Taipans,” Uluc said.

“Their intent to go for just two imports might make a lot more sense a couple of weeks from now.”

Uluc suggested movement elsewhere in the market could ultimately work in Cairns’ favour.

Owner Matt Campbell and coach Justin Tatum were spotted conducting business in Las Vegas as the Hawks continued exploring their import options.

“It feels like their process of getting imports might take a couple weeks,” Uluc said.

“It’s not necessarily a lot of the guys that are playing right now. These guys have to exhaust their NBA options, their potential Euro options, and then the NBL becomes available for them.”

Will Hickey was one of the key pillars of the Lakers’ Summer League tournament, delivering a standout performance as the starting point guard against Oklahoma City with nine points, seven rebounds and three assists in just 16 minutes.

“It’s just confidence, confidence is everything,” Hickey said.

New coach Jacob Chance was busy meeting with players and agents at Summer League as United explored options for all three import positions.

“We need two perimeter players and a big. We’re pretty open about that,” Chance said.

Chance said United wants a big who can anchor its defence and identified Jesse Edwards as a possible option to return.

A primary guard shapes as a major priority, with Uluc linking scoring guard DJ Steward to the club.

“A name I’ve heard is DJ Steward. This is a high-level two guard, but he’s a scoring guard," Uluc said.

“They want a stud in that one or two spot.”

Uluc also linked former Perth Wildcat David Duke Jr. to United as a versatile option for its third import position.

“I think that’s what their third import spot will be, but I think it’ll be dictated by that point guard, by that primary guard they get.”

The Breakers arrived at Summer League with a three-person delegation featuring Dillon Boucher, owner Mark Mitchell and CEO Troy Georgiu.

With new coach Gordon Herbert coming in and DJ Vasiljevic and Kouat Noi already signed, Boucher said the club was searching for a rim-protecting centre and versatile wing to fill its final two import spots, with defence a priority.

“Seeing the talent on display out here at the moment, we are going through names on a regular basis and just seeing what their availability is,” he said.

“Hopefully they play well, but not too well.”

The Breakers will now search for the right pieces to complement established stars Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga.

Danny Mills used Summer League to continue Perth’s search for a point guard capable of organising the offence and complementing its established scorers.

“Clearly we need a playmaker, a guy that can be a table setter,” Mills said.

According to Uluc, the Wildcats have made an offer to Darius Brown, who led the G League in assists last season.

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

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

Perth also has key local spots to fill following Ben Henshall’s departure to college, while Alex Higgins-Titsha was added during the Summer League period.

Coach Josh King was active at Summer League as Phoenix searched for three new starters following the departures of Owen Foxwell, John Brown III and former Next Star Malique Lewis, who suited up for Milwaukee in Las Vegas.

“We’ve got a lot of spots filled already, but point guard, four man and maybe best available … Swiss Army knife,” King said from Las Vegas.

Uluc has since reported that Phoenix’s offer to an import power forward has been accepted, with contract formalities still to be completed.

King said improving defensively would be a major consideration as the club works to complete its roster.

“Of course we’ve got to score the ball, but we have to be better on defence than we were last year if we want to get to the next level,” he said.

Sydney Kings GM of Basketball Operations James Newman was among the Kings’ representatives working the phones and meeting with contacts at Summer League as the champions considered their final roster moves.

Sydney has retained most of its star power after Kendric Davis and Torrey Craig recently re-signed, but Newman identified another centre as a priority following Tim Soares’ departure.

“We know we need a five for sure. Tim Soares has left and we’re really excited about Keli Leaupepe coming back, but we just need one more piece there,” Newman said.

Uluc reported the Kings were well advanced in discussions with Australian centre Harry Wessels, who represented San Antonio at Summer League.

“For us, it’s all about flexibility and ultimately finding guys who fit the way we want to play, fit with the guys we have already and will make us better.”

Tasmania entered the Summer League period with its NBL27 roster filled following Bryce Hamilton’s re-signing and the high-profile addition of Taran Armstrong.

The JackJumpers may still require an injury replacement while Hamilton recovers from an ACL injury.

CEO Trent Jacobs praised the roster’s mix of continuity and new talent and confirmed the club could explore extending Scott Roth beyond NBL27.

“We think he’s been outstanding for our organisation,” Jacobs said.

“His future is something that we’ll certainly look at.”