The 2025-26 NBL season is fast approaching, with the Illawarra Hawks looking to defend their title.
But things move fast in the league, with plenty of talent moving around to help their squads make a run at the championship.
From heavyweight contenders to rising young cores, here is one big question for every NBL team.
One big question for every NBL team
Illawarra Hawks: Can they replace Trey Kell III?
The Illawarra Hawks struck gold last off-season, bringing in former South East Melbourne and Adelaide import Trey Kell III in for what turned out to be an All-NBL First Team season, ending in a championship.
But they say all good things come to an end, and Kell's time in the Gong was short but sweet, seeing the guard sign with the Toyama Grouses in Japan's B.League.
The Hawks are now on the search to replace a key cog alongside Tyler Harvey as they search for a second-straight title - they were in the hunt for last year's MVP finalist Matt Hurt, but with that falling through, who will be Illawarra's next star import?
Melbourne United: Will Dash Daniels be productive?
It's hard to narrow down just one question United have this year; after a second straight finals defeat, the team lost star point guard Matthew Dellavedova, as well as a host of supporting talent.
They did well at replacing, bringing in talented New Zealander Finn Delaney, but their most interesting signing is Next Star Dash Daniels, the brother of NBA star Dyson.
A projected top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Daniels could potentially have an impact similar to that of Josh Giddey in his year with the Adelaide 36ers, but the youngster looked fairly raw at last month's FIBA U19 World Cup, so it is unclear just how productive he will be.
Perth Wildcats: Is JLA a good enough Bryce Cotton replacement?
It's been a wild off-season out West. First, they lose five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, before seeing him sign with rivals Adelaide.
Following a rebrand, they then announce the signing of Jo Lual-Acuil, a Perth native who immediately becomes one of the league's scariest players.
A former Sixth Man of the Year and two-time All-NBL selection, JLA's return to the NBL has been much anticipated, but will the big-time signing be enough to make up for the team losing their former superstar?
Sydney Kings: Will Davis and Dellavedova sink or swim?
The Kings might've been the biggest movers of this off-season, bringing in a star-studded backcourt to Brian Goorjian's squad.
They first secured the services of Matthew Dellavedova, fresh off winning the Finals MVP in a losing effort for Melbourne United, and then followed that up with MVP finalist Kendric Davis, who averaged 25.6 points per game.
On paper, it's a seamless fit, but will the theoretical duo work in practice, or are the Kings primed for a flameout?
SEM Phoenix: What does a full season of Josh King look like?
After an 0-5 start last season, the South East Melbourne Phoenix signed Josh King as head coach, who led the team all the way to the NBL playoffs.
King was so successful that he was named as one of three finalists for Coach of the Year, finishing the year with a 16-13 record.
With the American now ready to begin his first full year in charge, can he and the Phoenix go one better?
Tasmania JackJumpers: Is this the year Magany takes over?
During the NBA Summer League, it seemed that the Tasmania JackJumpers were in serious danger of losing star big man Will Magnay to the Memphis Grizzlies.
But Magnay is back in the Apple Isle, and hoping to be part of yet another JackJumpers title run.
While Magnay has long been a premier big in the NBL, he is yet to reach the final form of a game-breaking centre many expect him to, so can the 2025-26 season be the year that we finally see him take over?
Adelaide 36ers: Can they avoid repeating history?
Adelaide 36ers have every reason in the world to be excited for the season; they landed the signature of league legend Bryce Cotton, and followed that up by bringing back fan favourite Montrezl Harrell.
But this isn't the first time the 36ers have come into a season with lofty import expectations - who could forget the infamous trio of Craig Randall II, Antonius Cleveland, and Robert Franks?
Yes, the 36ers have every reason in the world to be excited, but that also means they have the expectations to match, leaving little room for error in Adelaide.
Brisbane Bullets: Can Jaylen Adams return to form?
In 2022, Jaylen Adams claimed the NBL MVP award after one of the most impressive individual seasons in league history.
While the Kings would win the title that season, Adams would depart the following season, and though he returned for back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025 and registered some impressive individual performances, he struggled to return to the form of his debut season.
With Brisbane now bringing in the microwave scorer, could a move to the sunshine state help Adams return to his elite ways?
New Zealand Breakers: PCJ for MVP?
This will be Parker Jackson-Cartwright's third season with the New Zealand Breakers, as he quickly becomes one of the NBL's most elite guards.
After leading an emphatic post-season run that just fell short in his debut season, he and the team got off to a hot start last year, before the team went on a horror run, which saw him miss games with suspension and injury.
If the Breakers are going to return to their winning ways, PCJ will need to turn in the MVP season experts and fans both know he is capable of, but can he deliver?
Cairns Taipans: Where are the players?
This one is fairly simple.
Even with Reyne Smith officially under contract, the Taipans have only six players signed, with both time and talent running out for last year's wooden spooners.
Cairns have frequently shown they can produce more with less, but they have left their roster building late even for them.