Nate Jawai and the Cairns Taipans have failed to reach an agreement on a new contract for 2019-20 and chances of any being made in the future are now doubtful.
Cairns coach Mike Kelly said earlier this month he was keen to bring Jawai back for another season and although it felt as though a deal would be made swiftly, a month later and it seems the two are further apart than ever before.
Contract discussions have not progressed in the last few weeks and with Melbourne needing to replace big man Josh Boone, Adelaide likely losing Harry Froling after the NBA draft and South East Melbourne in need of an aussie big, there is plenty of opportunities for him to sign elsewhere.
If Jawai does in fact head elsewhere, it’s thought his most likely destination would be a return to Western Australia, where he spent the 2015-16 with the Perth Wildcats. The former Australian Boomer and NBA big man who be the perfect replacement for his Boomers teammate Angus Brandt who was granted a release from the Wildcats to pursue playing opportunities in Europe.
Jawai has played 94 games over four seasons for the team, which he spent his time as a junior player developing his game under former coach Aaron Fearne. Fearne had been a part of the Cairns coaching for 19 years before his release in 2018 and it’s thought Jawai’s decision could possibly be influenced by this decision.
Currently Jawai is staying fit by playing with French team Levallois Metropolitans where he has averaged 7 points per game in the LNB Pro A. The big man will be 33 when the 2019-20 season kicks off averaged 10 points and five rebounds in 2018-19 after two injury plagued seasons prior.
As a local product from Bamaga, Jawai has been extremely marketable player for the team and has been extremely influential in the cities indigenous community. In the three years since he returned Far North Queensland Jawai has taken home the Snake’s Commitment to the Community Award on two separate occasions.
In a statement addressed to Taipans fans at seasons end, club president Troy Stone confirmed Cairns hoped to return both Jawai and star guard Melo Trimble but with both now unlikely the team may be facing another year of re-building.
Trimble is reportedly in discussions with multiple NBL clubs including Adelaide and Melbourne making it unlikely the Taipans will be able to match any offers.
Last season the Taipans began the year with only Jawai and Kuany Kuany contracted and were forced to haphazardly recruit players after coach Mike Kelly was signed only days before the opening of free agency.
With Cairns allowing Rob Loe to exit his contract and return to New Zealand earlier this month, they now have only Jarrod Kenny and Majok Deng signed for the upcoming season.
Will Cairns be successful in their second attempt at re-building in two seasons, time will tell.