Sydney Kings star Casper Ware and Perth forward Nick Kay are the latest high-profile players to opt out of their NBL contracts as a result of the league's salary cuts.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
American point guard Ware was the highest-paid import in the competition last season after Sydney lured him away from Melbourne United.
But an agreement struck in April between the NBL, its nine clubs and the Australian Basketball Players' Association would have resulted in Ware's contract slashed by 50 per cent next season.
The deal is part of the league's cost-cutting measures in dire financial circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBL confirmed Ware will now test the market overseas, following dual NBL MVP Bryce Cotton (Perth), Matt Hodgson (Brisbane) and Xavier Cooks (Sydney) in pulling the pin in recent days.
Late on Monday, Kay confirmed he would also opt out of his contract.
Kay had one season remaining on his three-year contract, meaning Perth will hold his local rights should he choose to return to the NBL.
Players have a deadline of May 4 to decide whether to exit their contracts.
NBL chief executive Larry Kestelman is hopeful that players who choose to look at other options overseas could still return to Australia.
Clubs who lose players under the April agreement will retain rights to those players if they do return Down Under next season.
"We respect the rights of players to test the market," Kestelman said.
"The agreement with the Australian Basketball Players' Association was done by the NBL on behalf of the clubs who were unanimous in their support of the players and wanted to avoid stand downs as they managed the impact of the virus.
"Those players who choose to explore their options can still opt back in to their NBL contracts and we believe there will be a number who do so as the situation in regards to COVID-19 and its impact on various basketball leagues around the world becomes clearer."
In better news for the NBL, Boomers swingman Mitch Creek has announced he is staying with South East Melbourne.
Creek told AAP last month he was weighing up his options in order to take care of financial obligations after having his salary cut in half.
On Monday Creek reaffirmed his commitment to the NBL's newest franchise.
"I'm staying to repay the fans and the club," Creek said.
Melbourne United also received some good news with Mitch McCarron, Shea Ili, Casey Prather and Jo Lual-Acuil Junior choosing to remain contracted for the 2020-21 season.
Australian Associated Press
