Wildcat wants to keep team together
Perth Wildcats centre Matt Knight has urged key teammates Damian Martin and Jesse Wagstaff to stay in WA next season as rival clubs line up big-money offers for the out-of-contract pair.
Wildcats captain Martin won a record fourth defensive player-of-the-year title this season and is one of the best-credentialed players who could become a free agent on April 29.
The versatile Wagstaff often plays a support role behind regular starters Knight and Shawn Redhage, and would be given a more prominent role at most other NBL clubs.
He could also command a bigger wage elsewhere, with the Wildcats facing a challenge to keep their talent-laden roster under the salary cap.
Grand final MVP Jermaine Beal and rookie-of-the-year Tom Jervis are also out of contract, as are role players Drake U'u and Erik Burdon.
Marquee import James Ennis will return to the US to pursue an NBA contract.
Knight re-signed with the Wildcats last year, agreeing to a three-year deal that keeps him at the club until 2016.
Redhage and Greg Hire are contracted for the same period.
Knight hoped the Wildcats' sixth championship, which was sealed with a victory over Adelaide in the grand final decider at Perth Arena on Sunday, would help convince Martin and Wagstaff to stay in WA.
"As you've seen over the last few years, if you can keep your team close over the years it really helps," Knight said. "Obviously we've got quite a few guys out of contract, but hopefully this helps make up their minds and keeps them here in Perth.
"Damo says he calls Perth home now. He's captain of the club and captain of a championship-winning team, so I can't see him leaving.
"Jesse loves it here in Perth, too. I'm pretty confident we'll see those two in Wildcats uniforms next year."
Wildcats managing director Nick Marvin will begin negotiations with players next week.
Martin, Wagstaff and American import Beal are all considered priorities.
Wagstaff was non-committal about his future, preferring to focus on celebrating his second NBL championship for a little while longer.
"I've been here for five years and hopefully I would (stay here), but it's not as simple as that," Wagstaff said.
"Hopefully I can and hopefully we can sort something out.
"I spoke briefly to my agent, but it's still very early days.
"We played on Sunday and it's still very fresh, so I'm sure that will happen in the next couple of weeks."
"I've been here for five years and hopefully I would (stay here), but it's not as simple as that.""Out-of-contract Wildcat * Jesse Wagstaff *
