The waiting game: Three-time champion's future unclear

While teams continue to secure their final imports ahead of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season, one notable name remains on the free agency board: three-time championship winner Casey Prather.

“When I speak to teams, there are some teams who bring up his name, of course,” ESPN’s Olgun Uluc said on NBL Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“He’s a high-level scorer, shooter in the NBL. He’s a good teammate; he knows the league … all these things absolutely matter.

“It’s whether teams opt to go in a different direction.

“Do they go younger? Do they go for a different need potentially? These are all the things that teams are considering.”

Prather was dominant for the Brisbane Bullets last season, averaging more than 24 points and seven rebounds, before a knee injury sidelined him after 12 games.

The 35-year-old fan favourite is back on court and looking to make a major return, as he waits to see whether he will find a home for the upcoming season.

“As of today, I’m not sure (he will),” Uluc added.

“I haven’t heard of a team that is swooning over Casey Prather, that’s just the reality.

“Some are being patient, some just have other desires … it is reasonable to go and look for someone who’s maybe a little bit younger and dynamic, maybe who doesn’t have the injury history. That’s just how the market works.”

While gaps remain on rosters around the league, Uluc believes Prather could emerge as the ideal pickup once the season is underway, particularly as he continues to rehabilitate his knee.

“I’m curious, if let’s say he doesn’t get a gig … he enjoys being in Australia, does he hang around and maybe he is an Ian Clark type?

“Can he join a team in the middle of a season?”

Clark, who most recently played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix, has joined NBL teams mid-season in recent years to strengthen their championship pushes.

“If a team cuts an import, which we saw numerous times last season, can Casey Prather be there for you to swoop up?,” Uluc continued.

“If come December you need to make a change for one reason or another ... you have someone there who is super functional as an offensive player in the NBL, someone who knows the league and there’s no onboarding with someone like Casey Prather.

“I look at Casey Prather as the ultimate mid-season mercenary.

“You can bring him in and he might be the guy who wins you a couple games and that gets you over the top.”