Can Phoenix lock down Hurt?

NBL experts Derek Rucker and Peter Hooley believe the South East Melbourne Phoenix should be looking to lock away key big Matt Hurt on a “long-term deal”.

On NBL Media’s The Marketplace, ESPN’s Olgun Uluc reported the club had already offered the 24-year-old an extension at the mid-point of the season.

“I know the Phoenix offered an extension in December,” Uluc said. 

“They offered it to him then, he didn’t take it, because it was in the middle of the season.”

Hurt has been instrumental for the Phoenix, quickly becoming a fan-favourite and solidifying his All-NBL capabilities under head coach Josh King. 

1990 NBL MVP Rucker suggested a three-year deal should be on the cards for the star big man.

“I’m looking at a three-year deal if I could offer it to Matt Hurt, and show him, ‘here’s the sell, you have this right here, you can dance around the world if you want, but we’re giving you stability’,” Rucker said. 

Hooley agreed, saying the idea to build the Phoenix's NBL26 roster around Hurt is a promising one.

“You’d love to see him locked away for a long-term deal. The Phoenix could do that…you could build around that because you’ve already got this foundation piece who loves Australia,” he said.

“Matt Hurt’s been unguardable for majority of this season - All-NBL First Team calibre for sure.”