2020–21 Cairns Taipans season explained

Clubname:	Cairns Taipans
Wins:	8
Losses:	28
Cup Wins:	2
Cup Losses:	6
Cup Ladder:	9th
Cup:	N/A
Coach:	Mike Kelly
Coach N:	USA
Captain:	Scott Machado
Captain N:	BRA
Arena:	Cairns Pop-Up Arena
Highest Attendance:	1,945 (29 March 2021)
Lowest Attendance:	1,808 (18 January 2021)
Average Attendance:	1,879
Largest Win:	15 points 84–69 (Breakers)
Largest Loss:	29 points 106–77 (@ Phoenix)
Efficiency Leader:	Jawai
Epg N:	AUS
Epg:	55%
Top Scorer:	Oliver
Ppg N:	USA
Ppg:	17.3
Rebounds Leader:	Oliver
Rpg N:	USA
Rpg:	10.0
Assists Leader:	Machado
Apg N:	BRA
Apg:	7.0
Updated:	30 May 2021
Ladder:	9th
Nblcup:	9th
Finals:	Did not qualify
Prevseason:	2019–20
Nextseason:	2021–22
Website:	Taipans.com
Color1:	F79239
Color2:	1C2651
Color3:	FFFFFF

The 2020–21 Cairns Taipans season was the 22nd season for the Cairns Taipans in the NBL, and their third and final season under the guidance of Head Coach Mike Kelly.^[1]

Season summary

After a successful campaign the season prior, the Taipans faced an early setback when it was announced that the redevelopment of the Cairns Convention Centre had been delayed and was unavailable for use until early February 2020, two months after the NBL announced the delayed season would start.^[2] After meeting with the Queensland Minister for Housing, Public Works and Sports Mick de Brenni, it was announced that the redevelopment timeline would not be adjusted for the Taipans.^[3] Following more discussions between the club and the state government, it was announced that the government would redevelop an old warehouse capable to host games across the two month period between the start of the season and when the Convention Centre becomes available, with the temporary stadium able to hold 2,000 seats.^[4]

Squad

Signings

See main article: List of 2020–21 NBL season transactions.

The Taipans only retained one of their players over the off-season, Majok Deng, who had signed a multiple season contract before the 2019–20 season.^[5] Head Coach Mike Kelly had also already signed for the 2020–21 season.^[6]
On 13 March 2020, Mojave King was signed as a Next Star player.^[7] King signed with the Taipans on a three-year deal as part of the Next Stars program, which "contracts Draft eligible players in order to prepare and fast-track them to the NBA, providing an alternative option to attending college."
On 7 March 2020, the Taipans announced that they'd taken the club option on the contracts of Mirko Djeric, Fabijan Krslovic and Kouat Noi, who would all return to Cairns on a one-year deal.^[8]
On 3 August 2020, the Taipans re-signed co-captain Nathan Jawai on a two-year deal, extending his stint at the club to at least seven years.^[9]
On 6 August 2020, Jarrod Kenny joined the list of returning Taipans and signed a one-season deal with the club.^[10]
On 14 August 2020, the Taipans signed Jordan Ngatai to a two-year deal.^[11]
On 3 September 2020, George Blagojevic re-signed with the club on a two-year deal (with the second year being a club option).^[12]
On 16 November 2020, Cameron Oliver re-signed with the Snakes on a two-year deal, signing as the team's first import for the 2020–21 season,^[13]
On 22 November 2020, Scott Machado completed the Taipans' roster by also signing a two-year deal.^[14]
On 22 December 2020, Jordan Hunt was announced as the Taipans only development player for the season. Tad Dufelmeier and Koen Sapwell were also announced as the training players for the club.^[15] Dufelmeier would later be promoted to the playing roster to cover the injury of Deng.
After both Deng and Noi were injured throughout the season, on 2 April 2021, Hyrum Harris was signed as a nominated injury player.^[16]
On 18 April 2020, Oliver's contract was waived for the season to allow him to return home to the U.S. to support his wife during her pregnancy.^[17]
On 20 April 2020, Venky Jois was signed for the remainder of the season.^[18]
On 30 May 2021, the Taipans announced that Head Coach Kelly wouldn't be returning to the club for the final year of his contract.