2026 Free Agency Update

Sal’s NBL Free Agency Update: Early Statement Signings

Free agency is starting to gather momentum across the Sal’s NBL, and while there is still plenty to come, the early movement has made one thing clear: teams are balancing continuity with targeted additions as they shape their 2026 rosters.

Across the league, several clubs have moved quickly to retain proven contributors. At the same time, the Manawatu Jets have been the most active in adding new pieces, including multiple imports, while the Wellington Saints have landed a marquee domestic signing to go with an important return. Down south, the Southland Sharks have combined key re-signings with a new addition designed to bring edge and versatility.

To catch up on all the Free Agent Signings Read on or Click on the Free Agency Tracker Link here.

Saints retain Gold and land Tall Black Carlin Davison

The Wellington Saints have combined continuity with a major new addition as they begin building toward defending their championship.

The Saints have made a significant statement with the signing of Carlin Davison for 2026. A current New Zealand Breaker and Tall Black, Davison joins the Saints as one of the country’s most exciting and versatile talents, with the club pointing to both the long-term pursuit of Davison and the impact his competitiveness is expected to have within the group when sharing his signing. Davison took a huge leap a season ago to reach All Star 5 status for the first time in a season where he expanded his all around game, especially with the ball in hand as a facilitator and scorer. His addition signals a change of key personnel from a season ago but showcases that teams will have their hands full to keep the Saints from back to back titles.

Sam Gold will return for another season in Wellington, continuing his development as a promising homegrown forward. Head Coach Aaron Young labelled Gold’s return pivotal as the Saints look to defend their title, while CEO Jordan Mills highlighted the value of Gold heading into his first full pre-season with the club as he looks to continue his basketball journey as a professional.

Jets Make Splash, re-sign Russo-Nance and add imports

If the early market has a most active club so far, it is the Property Broker Manawatu Jets.

The headline return is Dontae Russo-Nance, who is back in green after a breakout 2025 season. Currently running for the Perth Wildcats, Russo-Nance will return to Palmerston North in 2026 as a key piece of the Jets’ identity, with Coach Tony Webster describing him as a foundation piece for what the club wants to achieve.

Manawatu have also added size and upside with the signing of Will Heather. Fresh off his college career in the United States, Heather returns to New Zealand after first making his mark locally at Rosmini College and later earning a scholarship to Dallas Baptist University (NCAA Division II), while also representing New Zealand in U18 3×3 youth competition.

The Jets have gone to the import market in a major way, led by the signing of Byron Mullens. A former NBA first-round draft pick and internationally experienced 7-foot big, Mullens arrives with a résumé spanning the NBA and multiple professional leagues overseas, and has spoken about the opportunity to help build culture and add veteran leadership in Palmerston North.

Two more imports add athleticism and versatility to the perimeter. Ngor Nai joins as a physical guard-forward with size and flexibility across positions, while Kaden Sand arrives as an athletic, versatile scoring guard who can attack the basket and stretch the floor.

The Jets’ additions have not been limited to imports. as Kazlo Evens Jr has signed from the Wellington Saints after a standout Rapid League season, earning Rapid League All-Star Five honours and finishing number one in assists (3.2 per game).

Giants bring back core as their early ’26 foundation

The Nelson Giants have opened their 2026 business by securing two key re-signings.

Liam Judd returns after a standout first season in blue, capped by being named the Giants’ 2025 People’s Choice Player of the Year. Judd averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds per game in 2025 while shooting 41 percent from three, giving Nelson a reliable floor spacer who also showed off his athleticism with tough finishes around and above the rim. He is spending the offseason as a Development Player with the New Zealand Breakers and looms as a player primed for a big 2026 season.

The Giants have also re-signed fan favourite Alex McNaught, who returns for his seventh NZNBL season with the club at just 23 years old. McNaught has established himself as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders, taking on elite scorers while providing leadership, energy and a high motor. Like Judd, he is also currently with the Breakers as a Development Player and will link back in with the Giants following the Australian NBL season ahead of pre-season preparations.

Tuatara keep their cornerstone as skipper Rob Loe returns again

In Auckland, the Tuatara have again secured the services of their longest-tenured cornerstone, with Rob Loe returning for the 2026 season, which will be his fifth with the franchise.

Loe holds a unique place in Tuatara history as the first-ever player signed by the club when the franchise launched in late 2021. Since then, he has been central to Auckland’s rise, earning Sal’s NBL MVP honours in 2023 and providing a veteran Tall Blacks presence and high professional standards at both ends of the floor. The Tuatara have also brought back Zach Riley for 2026, with the guard returning for a second season in Auckland colours. The former Youth Player of the Year in the Sal’s NBL offers top flight defense that combines with a growing offensive game that will the lift the overall depth of the club.

Sharks re-sign Timmins and Cooper with key signings from rival clubs

The Southland Sharks have made a strong early start to their 2026 build by securing two important returners while adding new pieces designed to lift their toughness and defensive edge that saw the club fall agonisingly short of a title in their 2026 campaign as runners up.

Kiwi big man Sam Timmins is back after joining the club midway through the 2025 season and quickly becoming a key piece on and off the court. Head Coach Jonathan Yim described re-signing Timmins as a major priority this offseason, highlighting the physicality, professionalism and competitiveness he brings daily. His presence on the glass and as a defensive anchor is key, but with the return of Josiah Allick looking somewhat unlikely (as he chases NBA opportunities in summer league) he may be asked to lift more of the scoring load as well.

Tukaha Cooper has also re-signed after a breakout debut season in Southland. The Sharks Rapid League MVP averaged 10 points per game while shooting 42 percent from three, becoming a fan favourite in the process of a season where he showed continual improvement, playing his best basketball down the stretch. His defensive prowess and toughness will be key and if they are accompanied by an expansion of his offensive game the Sharks will be a tough out.

Southland have been heavy on the phones and the Southland dream has been convincing for two Tall Blacks. First, the Sharks added Tobias Cameron providing a huge lift on the defensive side of the ball and in the toughness category. Cameron arrives after spending last season with the Franklin Bulls and is currently competing overseas with the Cheshire Phoenix in the United Kingdom. The Sharks say he will join the club following the completion of his UK season, bringing versatility, defensive edge, and a competitive mindset on both ends of the ball.

Southland’s offseason build also includes the most recent addition of Max Darling, who joins the Sharks for the 2026 campaign after nearly a decade with Canterbury Rams, where he helped the team to back to back titles after initially suiting up in the 2017 season. The bruising forward will look to expand his impact after being asked to sacrifice on deep teams during the Rams championship pushes. Darling adds another layer of depth as the Sharks continue to round out their roster, with a focus on building a group that can compete on both ends of the floor. With key pieces retained and new talent arriving, the Sharks’ early moves point to a team intent on taking that final step to championship glory that cam up just short a season ago.

Sal’s NBL free agency movement wrap so far

Giants: Alex McNaught (re-signed), Liam Judd (re-signed)

Jets: Dontae Russo-Nance (re-signed), William Heather (new), Byron Mullens (import), Kazlo Evens Jr (new, from Saints), Ngor Nai (new import), Kaden Sand (new import)

Saints: Sam Gold (re-signed), Carlin Davison (new)

Sharks: Samuel Timmins (re-signed), Tukaha Cooper (re-signed), Tobias Cameron (new, from Bulls), Max Darling (new, from Rams)

Tuatara: Rob Loe (re-signed), Zach Riley (re-signed)

With key cores being retained and several major additions already on the board, more announcements are expected as clubs continue to fill remaining roster spots ahead of the 2026 season.