No sign of new contract for Nate
BASKETBALL STAR centre Nate Jawai’s future at the Cairns Taipans is in serious doubt with fresh contract negotiations failing to progress following the NBL season.
The 32-year-old, who is playing with French side Levallois Metropolitans in the off-season, is out of contract with his three-year deal expiring after the 2018-19 campaign.
There was optimism throughout last season the Australian Boomer would strike a new deal with the Far North club after his quality play but discussions have not progressed in the last few weeks.
If the former NBA big man is not to find a new deal in Cairns, he is sure to have several suitors after a return to form season, where he averaged 10 points and five rebounds.
Cairns coach Mike Kelly was noncommittal to his influential big man when asked about his future on Friday.
“We have kept in touch and continued to discuss with him and his agent,” Kelly said.
“We are keeping open and honest discussions and just trying to shape the roster in the best way going forward.
“I have always enjoyed being around Nate, we will continue those discussions and we will see what happens.”
Kelly, who is entering his second season in charge in the Far North, has certainly changed his tune from when he was asked about Jawai’s future in February.
“We would love to have Nate back in a Cairns Taipans jersey but I have not gone through that whole process still,” Kelly said.
Across his three-year contract, the 2018-19 season under Kelly was Jawai’s most productive after he battling injury in the two seasons prior.
His form has not dipped in Europe since signing with the Levallois Metropolitans, dropping 11 points, on 5-8 shooting, as well as grabbing four rebounds in a 72-64 recent victory over Fos Provence Basket.
He only needed 12 minutes to rack up that contribution, finishing with a plus-minus of 13 in the win.
His impact on the Far North basketball community is not just on the court, with the Bamaga product winning back-to-back Commitment to the Community Awards at the club’s end-of-season awards.
With Rob Loe walking away from a contract last week, Cairns only have Jarrod Kenny and Majok Deng signed for the upcoming season.