Well, as with every other SuperCoach code, the key is choosing the right cheapies to make you bulk cash and converting them into rolled gold stars.

For the purposes of this column, we’ve rated cheapies at $130,000 and below and divided them into four categories.

Players priced at $58,500 need to score only five points to break even and an average of 11 would see them double in price. So it’s worth keeping your eye on teams who have injuries and might be elevating development players.

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Players who cost $69,000 are priced at six points.

Next Stars, seven of the eight costing $115,000 (except Melbourne United’s Ariel Hukporti) are priced at an average of 10 points, meaning there’s a legitimate argument to roster all seven – they don’t come here to sit on the bench and watch.

For the record, most new imports are locked in at $277,000 — a break even of 24.

Here are the cheapies I think are worth considering – with the caveat some are very speculative and we’re yet to see them at the pre-season NBL Blitz. Check back in during the Blitz and before the season starts on September 28 to make sure you have the best cheapie intel.

BARGAIN OR BUST? ($100-$130k)

Players at the higher end of the cheapie spectrum who could have an impact

Mitch Norton (BRI) $116,000 GRD

Out of favour in Perth, Norton was recruited by the Bullets as a hard-nosed back-up point guard and should be that behind import Shannon Scott. Priced almost the same as a Next Star, I can see him giving us 15-20 points per night with his ability to contribute in multiple categories, along with the potential for the odd big outburst. I’m always looking for guys who average 0.6 points per minute or better, especially those with a chance at a bounce-back year in new digs.

Jaylin Galloway (SYD) $123,600 FWD

Sydney has known for a long time how good this kid is but he caught the attention of the rest of the league with his defensive efforts in last year’s grand final series – and some spectacular athleticism. He’s competing with a hell of a lot of talent on that Kings’ squad but his defensive ability will ensure he gets court time, and that should allow him to exceed the 10.7 he averaged last season – at an attractive 0.7 points per minute.

Todd Blanchfield (ILL) $101,600 GRD and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (ILL) $105,300 FWD/GRD

Have grouped these two together because I’m just not sure how the Hawks wing positions are going to shake out. Is Blanchfield there just to be a veteran presence or will he be handed a major role? I know coach Jacob Jackomas is a big Wani fan, so this might be the year the former Sydney King steps into the limelight? One of the two could be a SuperCoach jackpot.

Ben Ayre (SEM) $107,900 GRD

Unwanted in Cairns, SEM’s new pest has quickly established himself as the backup at both positions. He’s scored very well in pre-season and, while the injury-hit Phoenix need to integrate Matt Kenyon into the line-up, Ayre appears to have secured plenty of burn when one of import guards Gary Brown or Will Cummings rest. Kenyon is likely to spend minutes as the back-up three to Craig Moller, too.

David Okwera (PER) $110,200 FWD

Unabashed fan of the Perth-born kid who spent the past few years with Melbourne United. One of the best offensive rebounders in the NBL and a hustle stats guy who actually has plenty of offensive ability but just hasn’t quite put it together – muscle and confidence are huge factors for him. If he can combine those two things with his undeniable talent, he could be an enormous SuperCoach X-Factor.

NEXT STARS ($115K)

Can we rely on any of the young NBA draft hopefuls?

Trentyn Flowers (ADL) $115,000 GRD

Whether or not the teenager lasts as Adelaide’s starting point guard ahead of several more seasoned men is irrelevant. Flowers has early role clarity and the faith of coach CJ Bruton. Expect him to be allowed to play through mistakes and, with ball in hand (even if the handle looks a little shaky), he should make plenty of cash.

Alex Sarr (PER) $115,000 FWD/CTR

A trip to Vegas with the Wildcats couldn’t have gone better for the French young gun. Clearly has the ability to impact in the NBL – at both ends – and that should ensure a role in the stacked Cats’ line-up, regardless of who they sign as the third import. At a ridiculous 216cm, the 18-year-old moved like a cat on the perimeter, can shoot the three and is a monster shot blocker. The SuperCoach scoring could be off the charts given he should have meaningful minutes from the word go.

Bobi Klintman (CNS) $115,000 FWD

Sneaky one here, but there are some out there who believe the Swede might end up being the highest NBA draft pick of all the Next Stars. Big call but the 6’10” wing reportedly does most things well – including shoot the p155 out of it – and, if he’s unleashed by Adam Forde, expect to see him handle the ball a lot and show why NBA scouts see him as the prototype big league baller.

Alex Toohey (SYD) $115,000 FWD

Along with Ben Henshall, Toohey is rated as the best Aussie talent in his age group. Interesting to see how the Kings’ ultra-talented roster shakes out, but Toohey, already a Boomer, has maturity beyond his years and the height and ability to play four positions on the floor. He’ll be the Swiss Army knife in Sydney – and, who knows, he might even start at the two or the three, depending on how new Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah wants to play.

AJ Johnson (ILL) $115,000 GRD

A broken nose in pre-season hasn’t helped and the Hawks’ roster build gives rise to concern about how many minutes the kid plays. Illawarra is stacked at guard with Justin Robinson, Will Hickey and Tyler Harvey all set to have the ball in their hands. Where that leaves Johnson is one of the most fascinating watches of the NBL Blitz. If he can find a clear way to back up Robinson at the one, then that could mean bulk points. As with Flower, though, youth can lead to mistakes and it remains to be seen how much of that coach Jacob Jackomas is willing to accept – especially if the Hawks look like a finals team.

Rocco Zikarsky (BRI) $115,000 CTR

Still just 17, the 7’3” Brisbane giant set tongues wagging early, tearing apart his first pre-season game against Cal Baptist University. Coach Justin Schueller rates the youngster and he clearly has the capacity to go large but two things give me a little pause and think he might be a bit of a trap in SuperCoach – Schueller will make him earn every minute he gets and values efficiency and winning over everything else, so, given his inexperience, he will be on a tight leash when it comes to making mistakes. And then there’s the fact former Boomer Aron Baynes, Tyrell Harrison – who Schueller loves – and even Josh Bannan are probably ahead in the big man pecking order. Regardless, Zikarsky’s sheer size and presence at both ends might ensure he forces his way into an early role and, in that case, he’s a must-have.

Mantas Rubstavicius (NZL) $115,000 FWD

A talented wing out of Lithuania who could be a scoring machine if he can find a prominent role with the reloaded grand finalists. The Breakers have a ton of wing depth but what helps Rubstavicius is he is 21 years old, has already played professionally and you only need look at his performances at least year’s U20 European Championships to see what he is capable of. He averaged 19.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists and led the tournament in scoring on the way to a silver medal for Lithuania.

Bonus Next Star:

Ariel Hukporti (MEL) $172,100 CTR

After missing the entirety of last season with a ruptured Achilles, the German-Togolese Next Star is still priced more than $50k higher than all the other Next Stars owing to a rookie season where he averaged 1.1 points per minute. He is arguably overpriced, given you’d normally want a player who has missed a full season to be super cheap, but, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr out until November and coach Dean Vickerman hoping he can get 20-30 minutes out of the 21-year-old, he has a huge ceiling. Foul trouble and a proclivity for the odd boneheaded play will still be a frustration but, flashback to 2021-22 and he was ultra productive, averaging 16.5 SuperCoach points in just 14.8 minutes per game. Sky’s the limit.

CASH COWS ($59K-99K)

The guys who can make serious bank

Josh Bannan (BRI) $69,000 FWD

One of my first-picked players, Bannan was the beneficiary of a bidding war between Melbourne United and Dean Vickerman, and former United assistant-turned Bullets head coach Justin Schueller. Spent a period of the off-season working out in Indiana with the Pacers, underlining the potential NBA interest, and should split time at power forward with DJ Mitchell and potentially nick some minutes at the five. High level rebounder and tough inside scorer who is my pick for cheapie of the year.

Ben Henshall (PER) $69,000 FWD/GRD

Let me preface this by saying I have a bit of a man crush on Henshall’s game, but I’m not the only one. One NBA scout said “he’s definitely an NBA guy”, and I couldn’t agree more. Intrigued to see where he sits with the Wildcats. He’s on a two-year deal and on the main roster but is perhaps fourth in line behind ultra-talented stars Bryce Cotton and the Webster brothers, Tai and Corey. Regardless, you have to have him at the price, but there’s a chance, if he doesn’t end up in the NBA, he and Cotton end up forming the starting back-court in Perth next season.

Lachlan Olbrich (ILL) $69,000 CTR/FWD

Big, raw, star in the making. Should have a big role in the Hawks’ frontcourt from day dot and the raps on him are huge. With Sam Froling and import Gary Clark slated to start, he and Mason Peatling will be the frontline men off the bench. Expect bulk cash with the aggressive young big set to be a favourite in the Illawarra.

Sam Mennenga (CNS) $69,000 CTR

Could well be the Taipans’ starting power forward on opening night, depending on how coach Adam Forde decides to play. Menenga was brought in to help fill the enormous shoes of the departed Keanu Pinder and will likely share minutes in the frontcourt with Sam Waardenburg and new import Josh Roberts. He lacks no confidence, saying “I won’t surprise myself, but I’ll surprise people” and, at $69,000 we hope we’re surprised with some huge SuperCoach scores.

Taran Armstrong (CNS) $69,000 GRD

Another young gun who is expected to play a big role in Cairns. Armstrong is one of the most highly-touted young Aussie point guards, even catching the attention of Boomers star Josh Giddey. That’s enough for us to take a punt on him at $69,000, especially in a run and gun offence that should allow him to be an orchestrator in halfcourt sets.

Kyle Bowen (MEL) $69,000 FWD

They already love him at United. A real meat and potatoes big man who is very vocal and looks set to back up his mate Luke Travers at the four spot. Should well exceed the six-point average he’s priced at, purely on hustle stats. And don’t discount the offensive ability, he’ll get his chance on putbacks and maybe even the odd three ball late in the shot clock, where he’ll show off his unique one-hand-off-the-ball technique. Destined to be a fan favourite.

Makuach Maluach (SYD) $69,000 FWD

After a season in Melbourne, the jury is out a bit on the remarkable athlete who never really had the chance to shine. Another one on watch for now but, if he does happen to get going in Sydney, he might be worth a punt.

Kyrin Galloway (ADL) $69,000 FWD

Loads of potential, but hasn’t quite made the leap. Could it be this campaign? The Sixers are an interesting case study, with a number of wing players who will be high in CJ Bruton’s rotation, but Galloway is a genuine four who can crash and bash. Similar to his brother in Sydney, only needs an opportunity to make an impact in SuperCoach.

Michael Harris (PER) $75,400 GRD

Look up “green light” in the dictionary and you might see a pic of Michael Harris. Still a DP with Perth, so he’ll have to bide his time but, if he manages to get a run at it, can light it up. Watch and see for now, but keep him in your thinking.

Nick Marshall (ADL) $85,900 FWD

Possesses a load of talent and was part of the Boomers’ FIBA World Cup qualification campaign earlier this year. Upgraded to a full roster spot, the scoring wing might finally get the chance to convert some of his remarkable NBL1 form on the big stage.

Isaac White (BRI) $88,500 GRD

On pre-season efforts alone, he looms as a must-have. Former teammate Xavier Rathan-Mayes thought it ludicrous White couldn’t get a full NBL contract last season and, after several big outbursts for Tasmania, he was brought to Brisbane by new coach Justin Schueller as one of his first signings. The flamethrower can fill it up in bunches and has unlimited range. Looming as one of the best bargains, early doors.

UBER CHEAPIES ($58,500)

Bottom-priced players who could surprise

Gabe Hadley (BRI) $58,500 GRD

A fully-rostered player at $58,500 must be considered, especially in Brisbane, given there should be opportunities afforded to most guys on the roster in NBL24. He’s a Schueller disciple, too, having played under the new Bullets coach at the Geelong Supercats. Is the last man in the pecking order right now, but don’t be surprised if he can still find minutes here and there.

Anzac Rissetto (SEM) $58,500 CTR

Came to Phoenix as a big, raw lump at the beginning of last season and has since made enormous strides. The 6’10” 22-year-old has been used heavily by new Phoenix coach Mike Kelly in pre-season and, with starting centre Alan Williams ruled out for an extended period and back-up centre Gorjok Gak walking around in a moon boot, the Kiwi could find himself thrust into playing time – and that means SuperCoach money.

Dontae Russo-Nance (PER) $58,500 GRD

As with most development players, opportunities could be limited but you could do worse than a kid who was a monster in the New Zealand NBL in 2022 – as a 17-year-old. Led the entire league in steals at 2.9 per game, averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists as the Tuatara made it all the way to the grand final, and he was named youth player of the year. Good pedigree and I know they’re very high on him out west. Could he be the Sean Macdonald of NBL24?

Originally published as Cheapie Bible: Every bargain buy in SuperCoach NBL