Is the NBL about to witness the emergence of its next million-dollar sensation? As the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season winds down, the focus for several teams is already shifting towards the upcoming campaign, marking the beginning of the crucial Pre-Agency period. This exciting phase will build considerable anticipation leading up to the official Free Agency period in April.
While many star players are already secured for the next season – with teams like Cairns and South East Melbourne recently announcing contract extensions for Jack McVeigh and Nathan Sobey, respectively – a significant pool of talent remains off contract as we look towards the 2026-27 season. This includes a compelling group of prominent Australian players who have been making their mark overseas, most notably the NBA quartet of Dante Exum, Duop Reath, Alex Toohey, and Luke Travers. All four recently found themselves waived by their respective NBA teams during the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, meaning they are now actively seeking new opportunities.
But here's where it gets interesting... While Exum (knee), Toohey (knee), and Reath (foot) are sidelined for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season due to injuries, Travers, who has spent this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and their G League affiliate, the Charge, is actively pursuing his next chance in the United States. However, if an NBA opportunity doesn't materialize, ESPN's Olgun Uluc has revealed that the door remains open for a return to the NBL in 2026-27.
Uluc explained on 'The Marketplace,' presented by Paywie, that the door is "ajar right now" for Travers, who was unfortunately caught up in a salary dump in a multi-team deal involving Cleveland. Despite the Cavaliers' admiration for him, Travers is now a free agent on the two-way market. The hope is he secures another two-way contract for the rest of this NBA season, after which "all bets are off." The prevailing expectation is that he will then aim for another NBA gig, whether that's a two-way or standard contract. However, Uluc pointed out that NBL teams are already poised to make their move.
He added that numerous NBL teams had already inquired about Travers' availability for a mid-season move, indicating a strong willingness to "throw money at a guy like that." Uluc pondered, "I wonder if he's the next player that’s going to cost a million dollars to drag away from the NBA, Japan, and Europe." This raises a fascinating question: Could Luke Travers be the NBL's next high-earning star?
Speaking of international talent, players like Jack White (Mersin MSK - Turkey), Taran Armstrong (Dubai Basketball - United Arab Emirates), and Will McDowell-White (JL Bourg - France) are currently competing in Europe. Meanwhile, notable NBL alumni like Yanni Wetzell (Akita Northern Happinets - Japan), Keanu Pinder (Akita Northern Happinets - Japan), and Nick Kay (Shimane Susanoo Magic - Japan) are showcasing their skills in Japan.
Among these six players, Will McDowell-White is a name frequently linked with a return to Australia. Uluc commented that McDowell-White has been enjoying one-year deals in Europe over the past couple of seasons, almost as if he's waiting for the perfect opportunity to sign a multi-year contract. Last off-season, he reportedly didn't find a situation he felt was ideal. The season before, more palatable options existed. It now appears he's strategically biding his time in Europe until the right NBL role emerges for a long-term commitment.
And this is the part most people miss... Uluc suggested that there might be more openings for McDowell-White in the NBL going forward. He highlighted the value of securing an "elite" local guard, as it would free up an import spot, which could then be utilized for more versatile, multi-positional players. This strategic advantage could make a player like McDowell-White an incredibly attractive prospect for NBL teams.
Round 22 of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 kicks off on Wednesday night with Tasmania hosting Illawarra from 7:30 PM AEDT, live on ESPN.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe Luke Travers has the potential to command a million-dollar contract in the NBL? And do you agree that securing an elite local guard like Will McDowell-White could be a game-changer for NBL teams? Let us know in the comments below!
