Could Humphries Be on the Move?

Three doesn’t fit into two. It never has, and it never will. So how will Melbourne United organise their depth of centres as they revamp their roster for NBL24? 

With ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc previously reporting Ariel Hukporti would be returning to the club as an NBL Next Star after rupturing his Achilles in pre-season, and Melbourne bullish on its prospects of re-signing Marcus Lee, where do the minutes come for Isaac Humphries? 

Whether he stays at Melbourne, or looks elsewhere, Humphries' signature is sure to be in demand. 

Persistent injuries decimated his NBL21 and NBL22 campaigns with the Adelaide 36ers – he missed 17 games in the former and only played six games in the latter – but it looks as if he returned to his shot-blocking best in Melbourne.

He missed just five games over the course of the season – two of which were due to Covid, and led the leagues in total blocks with 40 for the season, despite playing five fewer games than the second and third-placed players, DJ Hogg and Dererk Pardon.

“The injury history is something he was hoping to sort of quash this season, and he largely did,” Uluc said on The Marketplace. “He played the majority of United’s games.

“He was hoping that injury cloud was put behind him … he led the league in blocks, he led the league in block percentage, and there aren’t many really quality local bigs.

“When you look at someone like Humphries and what he can bring to your team, he can still bring you starter level output.

“There is interest for him around the league so he will find a home.”

NBL free agency kicks off on March 30, with all player, team and mutual options requiring to be confirmed by March 27.