YOUR GUIDE TO THE BREAKERS’ RIVALS

ADELAIDE 36ERS

The skinny: Useful pickups in titlewinner Mitch McCarron (from Melbourne) and Dunedin-born NBA hopeful Mojave King (Cairns), and have added a pair of useful imports (Dusty Hannah and Todd Withers) to go with a strong Aussie frontline of Daniel Johnson, Isaac Humphries and CamBairstow. 2.18m Filipino Kai Sotto an unknown. Will miss Josh Giddy’s playmaking but capable of contending.

Predicted finish: 7th.

BRISBANE BULLETS

The skinny: New era with James Duncan taking over from Andrej Lemanis as coach, Otago Nuggets import Isaiah Moss and Robert Franks joining ex-Breakers fatty Lamar Patterson as restricted players and Kiwi Jack Salt, China’s 2.25m Chuanxing Liu and Spanish/French Next Star Tom Digbeu also new. Nathan Sobey, Jason Cadee, Tall Black Tyrell Harrison and Anthony Drmic all return.

Finish: 8th

CAIRNS TAIPANS

The skinny: The ebullient Scott Machado will keep them in some

games, but haven’t added enough top-end class to be truly competitive. Well out of the money.

Finish: 9th. ILLAWARRAHAWKS

The skinny: Master coach Brian Goorjian will give them every chance, and he has a lot of weapons with Tyler Harvey and Justinian Jessup back to lead the backcourt attack, Aussie Olympian Duop Reath boosting their front court and new imports Antonius Cleveland and Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Harry Froling adding to a useful rotation. Finish: Semifinalists. MELBOURNE UNITED

The skinny: Losses of Jock Landale (NBA) and Mitch McCarron hurt, but Dean Vickerman has added Boomers great Matty Dellavedova, sharp Nigerian Caleb Agada, German Next Star Ariel Hukporti, veteran Aussie Brad Newley and Kiwi NBL MVP Dion Prewster to a solid roster. Shea Ili will again be key on defence.

Finish: Semifinalists.

PERTH WILDCATS

The skinny. With Bryce Cotton healthy again, Vic Law an outstanding import pickup, Luke Travers on the rise and Matt Hodgson boosting the interior, the perennial contenders should be there or thereabouts again. Finish: Semifinalists.

SEM PHOENIX

The skinny: If sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff can hit top form, could contend again. Mitch Creek will lead from the front, Xavier Munford looks a useful point guard and there are plenty of solid support pieces, including Kiwis Reuben Te Rangi and Izayah Le’afa. Need a lot to go their way.

Finish: 5th.

SYDNEY KINGS

The skinny: Quality, deep lineup, and bookies’ favourites for the title. Jarrell Martin back as key import, Jaylen Adams and RJ Hunter added and outstanding support cast headed by Dejan Vasiljevic, Xavier Cooks and Angus Glover. Kiwi Tom Vodanovich should see important minutes too. Finish: Semifinalists.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS The skinny: The newcomers shouldn’t be easybeats, but it’s always tough year one for an expansion franchise.

Finish: 10th.