Hawks need to lock up “rare commodity”

NBL legend Derek Rucker believes the Illawarra Hawks need to secure the future of Sam Froling, even if they need to “pay overs” for him. 

According to Newscorp the Hawks “lowballed” their first offer to Froling, with the report stating the star Australian is a “real chance of becoming a free agent if his expectations aren’t met”.

While Rucker says the red alarm isn’t ringing yet, he has urged Illawarra to not waste time in striking a deal with Froling. 

“I wouldn’t be panicking, but it’s certainly an uh-oh moment,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“They need to be cautious because Sam Froling is a hot commodity, not only here in the NBL, but overseas. We certainly do not want Sam to leave the shores. 

“If I was the Hawks, now it’s not totally the same, but I would learn a lesson from the Jordi Hunter situation last year with the Kings and go out and get Sam Froling locked up, even if you got to pay overs on the guy because he is a rare commodity and he is a great asset for Illawarra.”

Froling is averaging a career-high 14.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game this season and is a vital piece of the league leading Hawks.  

Rucker further explained the mental impact a poor contract offer can potentially have on players. 

“Sometimes players get offended, and they get emotional when they feel they’re not valued by an offer,” he said. 

“Players, we don’t always understand the business side and the to and fro, and that’s why we have agents. But when your agent hits you back and says, I’m not happy with the offer, that is going to create an emotional response in Sam Froling. 

“I don’t think it’s going to affect his play or anything but certainly it can impact how a player feels about the franchise and what’s going on.”

Illawarra faces the Cairns Taipans in the Summer Shootout tonight from 7:30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.