From Wildcats to 36ers: Bryce Cotton Pulls the Ultimate NBL “Uno Reverse” Card
It’s official: Bryce “Buckets” Cotton, the NBL’s walking microwave and Perth’s adopted basketball messiah, has just turned Aussie basketball on its head by signing a three-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers. That’s right — the man who once swore black and red allegiance has joined the enemy.
Cotton’s Career by the Numbers
| Category | Stat | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| NBL MVP Awards | 5 (2018, 2020–23) | Second only to Andrew Gaze (7) |
| NBL Championships | 3 (2017, 2019, 2020) | Perth Wildcats legend |
| Points Per Game (2024–25) | 28.1 | Career high |
| 40+ Point Games (2024–25) | 6 | Includes 59-point explosion vs NZ |
| Club MVPs (Perth) | 7 | Most in team history |
| NBL Scoring Titles | 8 | Most in league history |
Aussie Translation: What Just Happened?
Bryce Cotton went from “I bleed Wildcats red” to “Hello Hindmarsh” in about 90 days. He once swore he’d never play for another NBL team. But now? He’s packing up his MVPs and moving to Adelaide like it’s some kind of Witness Protection gig for elite scorers.
And to be clear, Perth offered him the biggest bag in NBL history — reportedly a mega deal that would’ve made him the league’s highest-paid player ever.
But Cotton said “nah,” skipped town, and is now eyeing a fresh start in South Australia under the guidance of Mike Wells, a coach he worked with during his Utah Jazz stint.
Why the Move Makes (Some) Sense
Coach Connection
Mike Wells was an assistant coach at the Utah Jazz when Cotton had a cup of coffee in the NBA. Reuniting under familiar eyes could give Bryce the green light — and the system — to let it fly.
Salary Cap Space
With Kendric Davis off to Sydney and Montrezl Harrell not returning (yet), Adelaide’s got deep pockets. Bryce likely got paid — maybe not Perth levels, but enough to buy a couple Barossa Valley vineyards.
Team Direction
The 36ers have been chasing consistency like Aussies chase free Maccas Wi-Fi. Adding Cotton gives them not just a scorer but a proven winner who can drag teams into playoffs on his own.
But… Didn’t He Say This?
“Nah, I don’t think that’s a possibility for me.”
— Cotton in March, on playing for another Aussie team post-Perth.
Translation: “Just kidding, mate.”
What It Means for the League
- Perth fans are going through all five stages of grief. The Red Army might need a group therapy Zoom call.
- Adelaide fans are frothing — Bryce might be the most high-profile signing since they tried to lure LeBron (probably).
- Rivalries just got nuclear. First Perth vs Melbourne was spicy. Now Perth vs Adelaide has real “NRL State of Origin” vibes.
NBL Hot Take: Is Bryce Still THAT Guy?
Absolutely. Let’s not forget his 59-point flamethrower against the NZ Breakers last season. His per-game average of 28.1 was absurd. His ability to create, isolate, step-back, dagger is unmatched in the league.
But the real test? Can he carry a new team that isn’t built in his image? Perth was tailored to him. Adelaide might need to rewire the whole engine.
Cotton’s Move: NBL Offseason Power Rankings
| Transfer Move | Drama Level | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton to Adelaide 36ers | 10/10 | Game-changer |
| Davis to Sydney Kings | 8/10 | Stronger backcourt |
| Harrell unsigned | 6/10 | Could be wild if he returns |
| Possible Japan move dodged | 9/10 | Feels like a near miss for the NBL |
Final Word
From MVP to MIA (that is, Missing in Action from Perth), Bryce Cotton’s shock jump to the 36ers is the NBL’s version of LeBron to Miami, if LeBron also played in a league where your games were occasionally interrupted by a giant inflatable mascot doing backflips.
Whether he lifts Adelaide to contender status or just stirs up the spiciest fan rivalry this side of Uluru, one thing’s for sure: Cotton’s still king — just in a new kingdom.
Want a meme pack of shocked Wildcats fans, or a custom infographic showing Bryce’s points-per-minute vs every team? Say the word.
