The Splash: Is Brock's buy a blank for Bullets?

• What's up with early season MVP Parker Jackson-Cartwright and the Breakers?
• Why former Boomer Brock Motum is trying to buy a house in South-East Queensland
• Is this the end for the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL?

Australian basketball never sleeps. Rumours spread like wildfire and our community is always ripe for gossip.

basketball.com.au has sources everywhere, so we hear about signings, controversy, hard-hitting news. We are here for it — the good, the fun, the funny and the bad.

Expect this column every two weeks.

Here are some of the things we're hearing.

CAIRNS TAIPANS CLOSING IN ON A LEADER?

We're weeks into NBL free agency and the Cairns Taipans are still without a coach.

According to some, it's a club that didn't necessarily need a coach going into free agency — our source begs to differ. Because of their lower budget and a need to rely on attracting some of Australia's elite college talent returning home, you'd think Cairns would be a team that needs a leader in place more than anyone.

But what do we know ...

Anyway, we are hearing a favourite son of the Cairns Taipans could be close to getting the job, taking over from Adam Forde with a second interview scheduled with the club's hierarchy.

That's after there was reportedly interest from the Taipans in attracting a man at the forefront of developing Australia's next generation of EXCELLENCE to take the position.

One thing is for sure, the Taipans faithful would be extremely jubilant if this favourite son got the job.

PJC BACK TO THE BREAKERS

It looked as though the lightning-fast Parker Jackson-Cartwright was out of New Zealand as quick as he exploded past defenders for a fast break layup.

But that was under the old ownership. It's a different story with the new ownership and while it has been reported PJC was a strong chance of returning, it seems his Breakers tenure is certain to continue with reports a deal is imminent.

The man who burst onto the NBL scene in the 2023-24 season, giving us highlights such as staring down NBL legend and commentator Derek Rucker after a starring performance, also received interest from several other clubs — including one looking for a point guard in the northern part of the country.

HARRY FROLING RETURNING TO THE NBL, BUT WHERE TO?

Harry Froling returned to the court after years out following a life-threatening brain injury during his last stint with the Brisbane Bullets, in what is one of the best stories in Australian basketball.

Froling, a talented big man with a high basketball IQ to go along with elite offensive skills, made his triumphant return with Sam Mackinnon's Taranaki Airs in the NZNBL, where he's been dominating to establish himself once again as an NBL player.

Rumours are the Townsville big man will sign on the dotted line to return to the NBL in the next fortnight. But where will it be? Will it be with his brother in Illawarra? Back in Far North Queensland with the Taipans? Or somewhere else?

We wait and see!

BRISBANE BULLETS PLAYER CHALLENGED BY FRONT OFFICE

Which Brisbane Bullets player has his club’s coaching staff and front office believing he is ready to take a step up to an elite level next season?

Rumour has it the player has been challenged to step up and realise his potential in order to help the Bullets break their playoff drought which stretches back to 2019.

Brisbane is going to need it after missing out on key targets in free agency, including NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova, as well as role players such as defensive stopper Sunday Dech, who ended up returning to the Perth Wildcats.

While the Bullets are yet to make their mark on free agency, with the only new signing under new coach Stu Lash being Kiwi sharpshooter Taine Murray, they have re-signed most of their core from last season led the likes of Casey Prather, Sam McDaniel, Tyrell Harrison and Mitch Norton.

It was a core that showed signs of being a playoff contender before they were struck by an injury crisis in the second half of the season.

DOOMSDAY LOOMING FOR ADELAIDE LIGHTNING?

While the WNBL received a much-needed boost last week when seven clubs agreed to be part of the league with the new ownership group, weeks after reported "crisis talks" were happening and today with the announcement of a historic new CBA — the news may not be so good for historic club the Adelaide Lightning.

basketball.com.au reported the Pelligra Group, who handed their license back last year, wanted back in but their future is up in the air.

We are hearing a decision may be coming this week and the hierarchy of the Lightning are fearing the worst.

What a shame it would be for the Lightning, who were the powerhouse team of the 1990s, winning four championships in that decade followed by another in the 2007-08 season.

Could this mean a new Brisbane or Tasmanian team could be fast-tracked into the WNBL? We'll have to wait and see.

SORRY BULLETS FANS

An Instagram post earlier this month from Olympian and Brisbane product Brock Motum about buying a house in his hometown sparked hype from Bullets fans about a possible NBL return for the talented big man.

But sorry Bullets fans, that’s not the case, Motum is purely enquiring about a home back in southeast Queensland without any strings attached as far as a basketball return.

What a get it would be if the leading scorer in Japan's B League could return home though!

NBL CHAMPION TO HIT NBL1 NORTH

The latest of all the NBL1 conferences is set to tip-off on May 1 and while the reduction to 14 games may have seen some superstars of the competition leave for other states, there are still some big names ready to hit the court in Queensland.

We are hearing a two-time NBL champion, an NBL Sixth Man of the Year and NBL Most Improved winner will suit up for a team in southeast Queensland.

The versatile forward with more than 13 years of NBL experience will provide a major boost for the team he will represent and returns to the state, where he did spend three seasons of his professional career.

Who knows, he may even be joining a former NBL teammate. Is that teammate a coach or player? Hmm ... the possibilities.

WNBA CHAMPION MAKING A SPECIAL APPEARANCE

Another NBL1 North gem in the lead up to round one starting next week, we are hearing a WNBA champion will be making a one-off appearance for a regional team in the opening weekend.

A legend of the WNBL as well, with three championships and an MVP award, this player's addition will be a huge boost for this team's young core.

If you have a tip or a tidbit, email info@basketball.com.au or hit us up on any of our social channels — confidentiality is guaranteed.