Wildcats roster deals hinge on injured Redhage
The future of injured star Shawn Redhage shapes as a potential stumbling block as the Perth Wildcats turn their attention towards securing the bulk of their talented young list for next season.
The Wildcats were knocked out of the NBL title race by minor premiers New Zealand at the semifinal stage this week after taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
But officials still believe they have the nucleus of what could become a dominant team for years to come after their 2010-11 campaign was cruelled by injuries.
However, they face a battle to retain all of their required players.
Redhage is the highest paid player on the roster and his rehabilitation from a dislocated hip is progressing well in the United States after two rounds of surgery.
He plans to return to Perth next month but is no certainty to be fit to play at the start of next season.
The Wildcats would have to place Redhage on the long-term injury list in order to free up substantial room in the salary cap, which could be crucial in retaining the likes of uncontracted Boomers guard Damian Martin and young star Jesse Wagstaff.
But Redhage, one of the club's all-time greats, will be given every opportunity to return.
"At this stage our assumption is that Redhage is coming back and I hope that he can pass a fitness test and play for us next season," chief executive Nick Marvin said.
"If he can't, we'll have to look at other options to fill his position."
Co-captain Brad Robbins is also out of contract and Cameron Tovey has an option to sign for another season, while the future of imports Andre Brown and Kevin Lisch remains up in the air.
Brown is unlikely to be offered a new deal after failing to provide the grunt and scoring power required by the undersized Wildcats and Lisch could attract attention from Europe if granted the Italian passport he applied for earlier this year.
Marvin said officials would meet every player next week and form a list of required players to be offered new deals.
The coaches will also be asked to pour over the list of free agents released by the NBL last month before presenting a report to the board in the next fortnight.
All NBL clubs have exclusive rights to negotiate with players on their current rosters until two weeks after the grand final series.
Meanwhile, charges laid against Brown and Lisch emanating from the game-three loss to NZ are likely to be heard over the phone.
An off-the-ball clash between Lisch and Breakers big man Gary Wilkinson resulted in both players being charged with unduly rough play and sparked a final-quarter brawl between the two sides.
Brown was the first Wildcat to square up to Wilkinson and was ejected for striking Mika Vukona during the brawl.
The Wildcats have until 5pm tomorrow to answer the charges.
·Townsville host Cairns in the deciding game of their semifinal series tomorrow, with the winner to meet New Zealand in the grand final.
WHAT WENT WRONG *P139
At this stage our assumption is that Redhage is coming back … "Nick Marvin
