NZ's “highest offer” in Breakers history for PJC

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

"We made the highest offer in the history of the Breakers last season to keep him, and we’ve done the same to try keep him this time around."

New Zealand Breakers owner, Matt Walsh has confirmed the club has offered star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright the largest contract in team history.

While Jackson-Cartwright’s on-court performances have remained strong this season, Walsh concedes there remains work to do from the fallout of his five-game suspension for grabbing, pushing or mishandling of an official during the Christmas game.

“There’s some work to do in terms of the trust between PJC and the league and how he was treated and how he feels about that, but I can tell you we made the highest offer in the history of the Breakers last season to keep him, and we’ve done the same to try keep him this time around,” Walsh told Newstalk ZB.

Jackson-Cartwright is sidelined with a rib injury and is averaging 18.9 points, 6.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals this season.

The Breakers’ owner also explained the importance of bringing in a local New Zealand core to get the club back to the Finals.

“I hear the fans, and nobody wants this team to be built around Kiwis more than me,” Walsh said.

“Unfortunately, life and financial offers get in the way sometimes, but that’ll be our focus – trying to get a great Kiwi core. The premium in our league is locals.

“But it would be great to get PJC back, then see who hits the market in terms of the locals. You never know. Finn Delany’s in Japan, we’ll see what’s going on with him. We’re going to do our best.”

The Breakers are ninth on the ladder and eliminated from Finals. With two games remaining, they next play the Cairns Taipans on Saturday at 5:30pm, live on ESPN and TVNZ+ in New Zealand.