The Sal’s NBL sees its first trade of the 2025 season as the Logik Franklin Bulls and Jadcup Auckland Tuatara agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that sends guard Zach Riley to the Tuatara in exchange for forward Jordan Hunt.
Riley, 2021 NBL Youth Player of the Year for the Auckland Huskies, joins a Tuatara squad eager to strengthen its guard rotation. The 21-year-old guard fresh from Fordham University brings energy, defensive grit, and a growing offensive game, and is expected to contribute immediately in Auckland’s push toward the finals.
In return, the Bulls secure the services of Jordan Hunt, a skilled stretch forward with championship experience and a proven ability to space the floor. His size and shooting touch will be valuable assets for the Bulls as they look to maintain momentum heading into the second half of the season.
Hunt has been plying his trade with the Surrey Scorchers for the second straight season, was expected to suit up for the Bulls a season ago but a leg broken while playing in England required a longer recovery than initially expected.
By bringing in players through the trade window both teams now have access $10,000 outside the salary cap that is provided to help facilitate trades. This means teams can fully use the additional $10k first for incoming player agreements, and then may still have salary cap space to use in these signings or after the trade window closes that they can use to sign free agents
This marks the first sign-and-trade of the 2025 Sal’s NBL season, as well as the second trade in as many seasons between the Bulls and Tuatara, who traded Noa Latu (Bulls to Tuatara) and Arahi Marsh (Tuatara to Bulls) a season ago, both teams hoping this year's activity gets them a bit closer to post season success.
