Hoops

Sydney Kings release Todd Blanchfield

Fight for and earn my minutes? Nope. Ill go down south to a team not as loaded and have to play regardless.....
Seems like a bloke you want on your squad!

@ferdterguson - The Kings haven't shied away from admitting that they're doing whatever they want for the good of the team (eg. Garlepp) and they admitted nothing during the press releases about coming to a mutual decision, it and the NBL articles stated clearly that it was Todd approaching the team for a release, so whatever is spinning through your head, I would suggest that it's a tad out of control...

I too think this is a pretty shrewd move by Blanchfield.

He could've collected his good cheques with the Kings next season with a diminished role that would've seen his stock being pretty low after the season or walk away from the deal go and play on a team like the Hawks where he will get ample playing time and opportunity to rebuild his stock in the hope of cashing in with a good deal somewhere else the following season.

I don’t understand all the innuendo & questions. Pretty clear cut. He wasn’t happy w/ his role, minutes or form and could see no improvement ahead given the stacked starting lineup, so asked 4 a release to play on a team where he’d have more of a starring role (eg Illawarra) w/ a coach who is renowned for getting the best out of players (eg Illawarra).

He’s looking long term as he’s still yet to hit his peak, so wants to establish himself in his career in terms of achievement & future earning potential 4 the next big pay packet.

Kings team is full of vets focused on the now. TB is a guy (like Cadee) looking to a slightly longer term view.

If I was a SYD fan I’d wish him da best & hope his career picks up elsewhere with the opps he will get.

Smart move by TB

I suppose they want to head off any negative connotations on the situation. NBL website just posted his side of the story:

Kaider stressed that Blanchfield's decision to leave the Kings was not financially motivated.

“It was all about Todd looking at where he could play his best basketball and where he could really develop as a player but also take on the responsibility of being a key member of a team. That was the most critical thing here," he said.

“Truth be known, he is actually going to take a pay cut. So it was never about money at any point. It was all about the opportunity and Todd’s long-term goals about taking his game to the next level.”

Isnt this the same bloke who was spruiking a Delly movie? Whatsever happened to that?

Could him being represented by Bogut's former agent have anything to do with it? Bogut and former agent by last reports are suing each other ?

Oh yeah, Kickert... blegh... mental block, nearly as solid as his twitter game...

I'm really torn what to think of what Todd's motivation was... Can't fault him for looking to get paid after his last standout season in Townsville, but then he really went downhill playing for Coach DD, and didn't improve at all playing under Andrew...

I'd like to think the best of him and with the likely minutes and it being a contract season for him, maybe he thought he'd be better off going elsewhere for the long term gain?

Either that or it was a dummy spit?

Maybe we'll get an indication based on where he signs next and if it's just for one season (to cash in on the greater minutes to go get more $$$ at a bigger team the following season?) or a multi-year deal at a regional team...

Does Perth have any room? Maybe he's going to chase a championship over there?

I am curious and he was on shedloads. Poor recruiting decision based on JVG's decision.

Having him just walk away and leave the apparently good amount of $$$ on the table seems unlikely. I wonder if there was a payout to cover the contract difference between what he was on in Sydney against what he will be on for the Gong.

Yeah, all the official posts have been that Todd requested a release... Even the Kings social media posts were very cold about it, no "wish him the best" or anything... Most teams state that it was a mutual decision and the Kings weren't shy last season about their decision re: Garlepp, so I can't see why they would spin in this way now...

I'd be curious to know how much he was on, but if rumours of a very good paycheck were true, they've saved themselves some solid moolah which helps them with the "5 players under the 40%" rule... He was played out of position and whether it was that, or the coaching, or the sporadic minutes or what, he just didn't look like he was committed to it this past season, and he hasn't looked like old Todd since he sold out to chase the cash to United...

Agree with Silencer, would love him to go to a regional team and get back to his old self... And not just for fantasy basketball reasons *cough*

So the Kings are now looking like:

Randle* | ???
Lisch | Wilson
Newls | ???
??? | ??? | Pineau
Bogut | ???

At least that provides some interest again for the Kings fans this off season as it was looking like a long wait for Summer League and some lower end of the scale players to fill out the remaining spots...

Hooray. Happy to be proven wrong but the Kings have saved a shitload of money on an underperforming player. Lets hope that recruit and spend that cash bonanza wisely.

Blanchfield requested the release. Not the other way around. Might want to brush up on your comprehension skills.

Yeah I hope Todd can go back to his old Crocs form and put the ball on the floor more. Ben reduced to a spot up shooter in recent years.

Good news for the NBL.

Hopefully he goes to Illawarra or Cairns and gets back to the 2014-15 Todd Blanchfield. No idea about Kelly And Cairns, but I'd back Bevo to help him work himself out.

Cairns & lots of court time..

I am disappointed that Blanchfield is leaving the Kings. He does a sterling job of keeping Sydney under-performing.

So he loses the remaining money on contract or not?

He requested a release => Sydney granted request => listed as free agent => signs with Illawarra. Everyone happy.

Wasn't he under contract? How does that work?

Yup and its almost a certainty he's going to the Hawks where he can get the minutes he crave. Keep things interesting when the two teams clash and refresh the dislike/rivalry.