Hoops

Wildcats sign import JP Tokoto

... in terms of salary coverage

Insurance is club not player based I believe?

Where's Dazz when we need him. He would have the facts I'm sure of it ;)

"So many insurance experts on here. Source for assumption?"

You don't have to be an insurance expert to know that most players would have injury insurance. Injuries are a fact of life in this sport and having that continuance of income becomes important.

Do I know JP Tokoto has insurance? No not 100%. Do the Wildcats have to pay for a player that is not on their roster? No they don't.

Is someone seriously suggesting an injured players salary counts towards the salary cap while they are injured?

So I am a Duke fan and was therefore not disappointed by Tokoto's mediocrity at Carolina. But I think the NBL and particularly the Wildcats will suit him. I think he'll be more comfortable with the physicality of the league than are a lot of imports, and playing alongside Cotton means he doesn't carry the creative burden of a first offensive option. I don't think he'll score a ton of points, but would be surprised if he's not a valuable starter.

So many insurance experts on here. Source for assumption?

Why you apologising for?

Sorry B.O....

https://twitter.com/liam_santa/status/905276184451272704

Exactly Lovebroker, Insurance will cover him while injured.

"but just unlike the Wildcats few teams can afford to keep a fourth import hanging around as obviously they would still be paying him."

Wouldn't Walker be paid from his own professional insurance?

any NBL team*

Can't recally any NBL keeping an import around who got injured so early in the preseason with NO track record in the league prior. Odd situation there.

Don't see how even the Wildcats can afford to keep him with possibly no chance of playing or JP being the goods. I don't get it, apart from having to appease Cotton and now it has bitten them on the foot with the injury. Whoops!

Yeah players aren't included in the salary cap when they're placed on injury waivers but just unlike the Wildcats few teams can afford to keep a fourth import hanging around as obviously they would still be paying him.

It's a bit crazy but he's said to be a good friend of Cotton's so he might've demanded it.

So Wildcats will be paying four imports - Cotton, Walker, Cooke and Tokoto? Surely above the cap?

"Sounds like Tokoto will be here until Walker is ready to return, if he recovers in time."

If Walker is healthy mid season and Tokoto is a flop, ofcourse they will release Tokoto and inject walker back into the side bearing in mind Walker will need to be available in time to allow him to play the minimum number of games prior to finals (unlikely). But if Tokoto performs and the cats are rolling there's no way they would risk bringing Walker back even if he can meet the finals requirements.

IMHO though I don't think JP is going to be a standout performer on the offensive end and this is what the cats need, so unless he improves on that end of the floor whilst defending to the standard we know he's capable of, I think we will see Walker back in the lineup if he has a faster than anticipated recovery.

Best Friendliest Team - LoveBroker, some of your best work. ;)

"I just think it's another example of Perth's "wins over all else" motto"

You make it sound like the Wildcats are sacrificing young virgins at the alter to win favour with the Hoops Gods.

When you say 'above all else', what is the very worst they have done? They cut Mathaing Muo after his rehab year to bring in Ernest Ross, but paid him out in full for the next 2 seasons.

They cut Jaron Johnson twice, as embarassing as that was, is it really an 'above all else' move especially given his substance positive result?

On the flip side is there any 'high ground' for sticking with your squad no matter what?

Hey the Wildcats won the championship but stuff having the banner, the Sixers win Best Friendliest team of 2015/16 for sticking with Ebi Ere.

Hey the Wildcats won the championship but stuff having the banner, the Sixers win Best Friendliest team of 2016/17 for sticking with Terrance Ferguson.

Interesting tidbit from the Wildcats news article:

"Tokoto’s signing comes a fortnight after Walker fractured his foot and was placed on a long-term injury waiver."

Sounds like Tokoto will be here until Walker is ready to return, if he recovers in time.

Its a tough decision between DKD and Waxy.

Steindl is more advanced and experienced than DKD, but DKD is developing nicely and showed glimpses of what he is capable of. He's got a nice catch and shoot which the Wildcats took advantage of last season. DVD doesn't seem to force it either so he's got a good head on his shoulders.

Waxy is probably the more expendable skills wise, that would be an easy choice. However, he won the Coach's award last season and seems to be a good locker room team mate. Then there is the Matt Knight issue, he will be injured again and Waxy could cover in spurts (he is not a natural 4 but can offer rebounding and effort).

Not sure what the Wildcats fans prefer though.

No ones perfect. Except Anons. They are exceptional.

@ anon 645910;

Yeah, I do say it like it's a bad thing... or at least, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, I completely get why Perth would do it - I rate Steindl and think he should've easily found a home post-TSV in the NBL - I just think it's another example of Perth's "wins over all else" motto, which I'm sure is 100% fine for most Wildcats fans.

^I agree with you on DKD being the focal point and everything he showed. His upside is there.

What I'm trying to say is Steindl played his role very well. Looked comfortable and contributed right away. And was doing all the things DKD would usually do in the cats system.

Which is why I'd take Steindl over DKD. For that improved immediate impact - if that makes sense.

B.O steindl wasn't the focal point on offense, I was at both the games, he is a role player used purely as a catch and shoot man. I've always been a big fan of Steindl but DKD was far more of a "focal point" on offense, he used his pace to push the ball in transition, showed he is capable at getting to the rim and finishing or even making plays from the paint. He showed a lot more than I was expecting, he even showed his ability to defend by reading passing lanes and putting pressure on the ball carriers.

What?!!? Only today... argh!

Was at the pre-season games in person.

DKD clearly had the green light to impress, but Steindl was much more polished and impressive.

I'm a fan of DKD, but in a cut throat world you would take Steindl.

I stayed in my lane, for that whole new 26km stretch of Forrest Highway with the average speed-limit cameras. Didn't even realise they weren't officially on until today though.

It will be interesting to see the spin they put on axing Waxy for Steindl, especially after signing Waxy early on and making a deal of him doing all the work last season when he wasn't a full roster player and he earned his spot this season...

Not saying that it's the wrong decision, but always enjoy a cold-hearted Perth axing :)

Steindl is here for his GF though who is playing with the lynx. Lynx season finishes in January... so maybe they will move on then

Probably a sign that they had Steindl's name on his singlet? Other teams barely manage to get their actual new players' names on singlets in the pre-season.

If his partner is playing locally, then he's likely to be easier to negotiate with. Otherwise, having to poach him from afar (from Cairns, say) would be more expensive. The different could easily be $20k+, at a guess.

If any team would axe a guy for Steindl, it's the Cats. I expect it to happen.

To be honest I'm more interested in what the cats decide to do with Steindl.

That is the tougher decision. He's a more developed than DKD and has the shooting prowess the cats need and Gleeson loves now that Walker is out.

Steindl played big minutes in the two pre-season games and was a focal point of offence. He also delivered. So how can the cats realistically fit him in?

B.O, please tell me you aren't the muppet that has been carrying on all day on twitter?

People getting their feelings hurt over fun times and cool aid.

If you throw enough crap against a wall, something's gonna stick.

My crap stuck.. I'm claiming it, running with it. Hate all you want.

Just like Lavar we spoke this into existence.

Stay in yo damn lane anons haha

So? Irrespective of name you're still going on about knowing it first... big deal.

If I was trying to get some recognition I wouldn't be posting anonymously would I....dumbass

^^^ lol another one of the "i knew about it first!111" brigade. Saw someone on twitter be smug about it too. Get over yourselves - all of you.

B.O Ive listened to you go on and on about this all day but you've gone a bit far. You didn't call it 2 years ago, my source within the wildcats told me they were interested during the summer league and I posted it on hoops and twitter, you then ran with it. Sorry to burst your bubble but don't try to claim your "eye for talent" when others gave you the tip lol.

Most of Tokoto's hype comes from a combination of his athleticism and the school he attended IMO, and he's basically been an underperformer since HS, so we'll see... Could end up being another Prather, but I'm not as excited about him as some of the other new imports this year.

nothing worse than getting paid waxy money. gross.

"We didn't have access to Steindl when we signed Devondrick"

Would having mere 'access' to Steindl make such a difference?

There is a big jump from having access to actually signing him.

Firstly someone needs to get booted, who?

Secondly, would Steindl accept less money? Or is there even any money to pay Steindl? Hard to imagine he would accept DKD or Waxy money.

"Brase said Tokoto thrives when asked to shut down the opposing point guard."

Him and Damo in the backcourt are going to be fun to watch!

Good insight into him in this 2017 article:

http://www.themonitor.com/sports/article_0caca1b0-14fc-11e7-92b1-47b802aa5d6c.html

What I find odd is that the Wildcats made a big point about Devondrick being a great shooter and how he will help space the floor for others (Cotton) to operate, and how integral he has become to their game, yet they bring in someone with less shooting credentials.

What I find odd is that the Wildcats made a big point about Devondrick being a great shooter and how he will help space the floor for others (Cotton) to operate, and how integral he has become to their game, yet they bring in someone with less shooting credentials.

Anyone else think this is odd?

Its like last season, they felt they needed more from the 2 position and decided to let Johnson go and bring in single skillset Ingram.

All the NBL haters who say good dunks never happen in the league will be eating their words this season.

People read too much into numbers some times.

Watch film. It gives a more accurate depiction of a players potential.

The off-court stuff works in his favour too. Very mature, family orientated etc.

Prather wasn't amazing from 3pt land. He was the athletic penetrating finisher we needed after DeAndre Daniels didn't work out.

12ppg for the season in d league is no joke

No one was singing Prather's praises when he arrived. He developed his game nicely. in the past two years.

It can be both.


- Yes it can like Prather but this guy looks very average skills wise