Lee's next move following JackJumpers departure

Following the announcement Marcus Lee would not be returning to the Tasmania JackJumpers for NBL25, fans of clubs all around the competition have been clamouring for their side to sign the popular import-five for the upcoming campaign.

Lee has ostensibly been replaced on the JackJumpers’ roster by former Brisbane and South East Melbourne Gorjok Gak, and the defensive stopper could well find himself at his third NBL team in three seasons for the upcoming campaign.

Since he arrived in the competition midway through NBL23 with Melbourne United, Lee has been a defensive juggernaut, and although he was injured for the final games of Tasmania’s title run, he formed a crucial partnership as the center position with Will Magnay.

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc says there is some interest around the competition in Lee, who is interested in continuing his NBL career should the right fit be found.

“[In] his first year with Melbourne United he was elite defensively, his advanced data was off the charts. In his second year with the Tasmania JackJumpers he won a championship,” Uluc said on The Marketplace.

“Both of those fanbases would have become enamoured by him because he’s a great guy who, off the court, also connects with the community.

“He’s also someone I know wants to remain in the NBL so he would be open to all of the offers that come to his table.

“Right now, there are bites and little nibbles, but there’s no full-blown team ready to go all-in just yet on Marcus Lee but he has interest in coming back to the league.”

With a handful of imports signed on to clubs across the competition and local spots slowly being filled, it is likely there will still be a number of import positions left by the time NBA Summer League begins in July.

Former Melbourne United guard, Peter Hooley, believes Lee’s interest in remaining in the NBL in some capacity could slow the decision-making process for a number of teams who could be interested in signing him.

“Because he has a desire to stay in the NBL, teams can be a little slower in that because they know he’ll continue to entertain that – I’m sure he’ll entertain things from the rest of the world as well,” Hooley said.

“From what I’ve been told, Melbourne United would be a good suitor for him but now they’ve got Rob Loe that kind of changes things, it also depends on what happens with Ian Clark and there’s mutual interest there from what I’ve been told to bring him back.

“There are a lot of teams around the league that could suit him as a backup five because he’s not going to be as expensive as others, and it would shock me if he’s not in NBL25.

“You can put Marcus Lee in a lot of these reserve spots and he’s going to help these teams.”