The Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans are continuing to shape their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 NBL season, with Sydney closing in on a Summer League guard while Cairns looks set to add another young local talent on a multi-year deal.
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBL Daily.
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SYDNEY KINGS TO LAND SUMMER LEAGUE GUARD
The Sydney Kings are expected to sign hometown guard Will Johnston, sources told Fox Sports Australia.
Johnston most recently suited up for the New York Knicks in the NBA Summer League, appearing in four games. While he averaged just 12.1 minutes per contest, limiting his opportunities to make a major statistical impact, the 6’3” guard arrives with a proven shooting pedigree from his collegiate career.
The 25-year-old is coming off his final college season with the Richmond Spiders, where he averaged 9.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 32 games, while shooting an impressive 37.4% (58-of-155) from deep.
His best collegiate campaign came during his freshman season with the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, averaging a career-high 14.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists while knocking down 43.8% (74-of-169) of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Johnston’s expected arrival comes after the Kings recently lost Keli Leaupepe to a season-ending injury, creating an opening on the roster.
However, with Sydney also searching for another big man, and sources telling Fox Sports Australia the club is assessing several import options to fill that position, Johnston’s signing adds further intrigue to the Kings’ roster makeup.
It also fuels speculation surrounding Jaylin Galloway’s future, with reports indicating the 23-year-old is pursuing a move to the Cairns Taipans after spending six seasons and 125 games with the Kings.
If completed, Johnston would give Sydney another reliable perimeter shooter capable of providing scoring punch and quality minutes off the bench.
TAIPANS SET TO SECURE FORMER JACKJUMPER
The Cairns Taipans are set to sign Brody Nunn to a multi-year deal, sources told Fox Sports Australia.
It is understood the 23-year-old will join the club as a Development Player before having the opportunity to elevate to the main roster, following a similar pathway to recent signing Luca Yates.
Nunn arrives after spending the past two seasons as a Development Player with the Tasmania JackJumpers, making 13 NBL appearances during that time.
During the off-season, he returned to the Knox Raiders in the NBL1 South for a third consecutive campaign.
Across 22 games, Nunn averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists, while shooting 40% from the field and posting a 52.5% true shooting.
His season ended in the NBL1 South quarter-finals after Knox suffered a 99-94 defeat to the Frankston Blues, with Nunn finishing the game with 14 points and nine assists.
Nunn joins a Taipans back-court that already features Luke Paul, Shaun Bruce and Reyne Smith, meaning opportunities may be limited initially.
However, the move provides the Melbourne product with another opportunity to continue his development at NBL level.
He also becomes Cairns’ second Development Player signing of the off-season behind Luca Yates.
JACKJUMPERS COMPLETE ROSTER WITH STODDART SIGNING.
The Tasmania JackJumpers have completed their roster for the 2026-27 NBL season, bringing back a familiar face with Nicholas Stoddart returning to the club as an Injury Replacement Player while import Bryce Hamilton continues his recovery from the ACL injury he suffered last season.
Stoddart’s signing marks a third consecutive season with the JackJumpers after making 31 appearances across the past two campaigns.
The 26-year-old returns to Tasmania following an impressive season in the New Zealand NBL with Tauranga Whai, where he averaged 13.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists across 15 games, while shooting 34.8% from three-point range.
His arrival has championship-winning head coach Scott Roth believing he has found the final piece of the puzzle.
“It’s like putting a puzzle together, and now we have the last piece of that puzzle,” Roth said after signing Stoddart.
“Now, it’s about settling the players back into Tassie and building that chemistry in the playing group.
“This is another group of high-character players, and now it’s all about taking what looks good on paper and proving that on the court.” Roth said.
The move is a natural fit for both parties.
Stoddart already knows the club, the playing group and Roth’s system, while the JackJumpers know exactly what they are getting from the versatile guard. Although Tasmania had been linked to several guards during the off-season, including Will Johnston, who is now on Sydney’s radar, Stoddart’s familiarity with the club and his ability to play multiple roles made him the ideal addition.
His stint in New Zealand also demonstrated his willingness to step outside his comfort zone, spending significant time at point guard despite it not being his natural position, something that particularly impressed Roth.
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“The fact he went to New Zealand, outside his comfort zone, and took a risk on himself, made a big impression on me,” Roth said.
“To step up as the Import and as Point Guard was a big role, a big responsibility, and it’s clearly built his game and his confidence too.
“I’m really happy to have him back. This isn’t about replacing Hamilton, it’s about adding another quality player to our group, and more depth and versatility for us.”
For Stoddart, returning to the club where his NBL career began is something he is grateful for.
“I love Tassie and this team, it’s where I started my NBL career, and that means a lot,” Stoddart said.
“It’s really easy to play with a group of guys who are all committed and bond off court really well, and the fans here are one of a kind.
“It’s a privilege to lace up your shoes, play basketball and call it your job, it’s all I’ve dreamed of my whole life.
“I think I’m returning fitter and stronger, definitely mentally stronger, than last season.
“I learned a lot in New Zealand. Scott (Roth) is always saying that it’s your brain that will take you as far as you can in this game, so I’m always trying grow my basketball IQ.”
Stoddart’s best performance for the JackJumpers came during NBL25 when he scored a career-high 14 points against South East Melbourne, knocking down three three-pointers. Across his 31 NBL appearances, he has connected on 37.0% (10-of-27) of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Tasmania’s roster for NBL27 is now complete as the JackJumpers prepare for another championship campaign.
PG: Taran Armstrong / Ben Ayre
SG: Dakota Mathias (Import) / Anthony Drmic / Nicholas Stoddart (IRP)
SF: David Johnson (Import) / Nick Marshall / Ryley Haywood (DP)
PF: Josh Bannan / Majok Deng
C: Will Magnay / Ben Gold / Jed Richardson (DP)
Injured: Bryce Hamilton (Import)
The JackJumpers open their Hungry Jack’s NBL27 campaign on Monday, September 21, at MyState Bank Arena when they take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
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