Will Magnay’s first foray into the NBA landscape was ruined by both Covid and injuries. Now, after an exceptional finish to NBL24, could the Association come knocking on your door again?
Magnay signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans following his NBL20 campaign with Brisbane, in which he was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player.
However, he only played once for the Pelicans, logging three minutes in a 17-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers before returning to the NBL with the Perth Wildcats.
The star center has since reappeared on NBA radars – and in Brian Goorjian’s Olympic calculations – but KeynoteUSA pundit Olgun Uluc told SEN Tassie that he believes a return for Magnay to the NBA is underwhelming. likely, despite reported interest from five different teams.
“I wouldn’t have all that interest from NBA teams if there wasn’t a realistic chance of that happening,” Uluc said. “I’d say he’s most likely back with Tassie, so I wouldn’t be too scared if he was a JackJumpers fan. It’s a workout with the Atlanta Hawks and then there are four other teams that I think he’s talking to.
“There are also some Boomer commitments, so in terms of trying to organize your schedule, you may not be able to meet them all.
“There is quite a bit of interest in Magnay and that is understandable considering the end of the season and the Championship Series he had.
“He is now playing for Gold Coast in NBL1 North and will be heading there for those training sessions soon.”
Magnay recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds playing alongside Adelaide’s Jason Cadee for the Gold Coast Rollers in last weekend’s NBL1 North action.
Should he end up earning an opportunity in the NBA and leaving the JackJumpers, Tasmania would be in a difficult position to replace him, having already signed all three imports for next season.
Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford return for the NBL25 campaign, while Craig Sword has been brought in as an attacking defender to complete the team’s guard rotation.
Former Brisbane, South East Melbourne and Brisbane great Gorjok Gak has been brought in to complement the JackJumpers’ central stock, but Uluc believes there are no realistic local targets who can provide Tasmania with a Magnay-like impact if needed .
“There’s no real world where they can lose Will Magnay and replace him with an import; now they have Milton Doyle, Jordon Crawford and Craig Sword,” Uluc said.
“They would have to try to find a local talent and, if not, they would have to try to get one of the imports they just signed. I don’t think they will, so they would have to look for local talent.
“I don’t know what local great there is at the level of Will Magnay – ‘JLA’ (Jo Lual-Acuil Jr) isn’t going to Tasmania – maybe it’s a Thon Maker or you go get Angus Brandt, but I don’t know if any of these guys is at the level of Will Magnay.”
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