Kings' Cooks Replacement Readymade at Melbourne?

The Sydney Kings have the unenviable task of replacing Xavier Cooks this free agency period, but Adam Gibson believes there’s already a local, out of contract forward who can help fill the void left by the reigning league MVP.

Melbourne United’s Mason Peatling is set to explore his options in free agency, and after recently representing the Boomers in FIBA World Cup qualification games against Bahrain and Kazakhstan, stock in the 25-year-old is high.

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“If you put him (Peatling) in Sydney – now he’s not a Xavier Cooks – but he’s a four man that plays defence, rebounds, [and] can run,” former NBL champion Adam Gibson said on NBL Today. “He could potentially be a Sydney Kings.

“Peatling had a tough season las season because he was injured a lot, but I think he’s shown when he’s healthy how good he can be.

“He’s been a starter, he plays in that four position which is crucial, in my eyes, to team success.

“I think if he’s healthy he’ll have a lot of interest as well.”

Regardless of whether Peatling or any of Melbourne’s other uncontracted players do depart the club, it’s beginning to look exceedingly likely that head coach Dean Vickerman will extend his stay in Melbourne beyond the NBL24 season.

Vickerman – who represented the Melbourne Tigers between 1990 and 1992 – has coached United to two championships during his tenure.

He’s set to turn down reported interest from Asia to potentially remain with the side.

“I think Dean is such a great coach that he’s always going to get interest,” Gibson said. “For them to hear he wants to stay is big for them.

“Obviously he’s set up here in Melbourne and very well respected around the league … sometimes when you’re in the league for so long you might want a change or something a bit different.

“When you keep one of your main pieces – your vocal leaders – around, it helps keep your club stable.”

NBL Free Agency kicks off on March 30, with all team, player and mutual options needing to be confirmed by March 27.

Check out the latest episode of The Marketplace for the latest free agency news.