Danny Mills NBL26 Season Reflection

Danny Mills, General Manager of Basketball Operations and COO of the Perth Wildcats reflects on NBL26 and shares an off-season update with the Red Army. 

As the Wildcats look ahead to NBL27, there's a clear emphasis on converting three years of Playoffs consistency into an 11th championship. 

“We’ve got this solid foundation of being a top two, three, four team in the league over the last three years. How do we get to that next level to get to a championship series?”

There is no shortage of experience within the group. The big moments have been there, the exposure to high-pressure situations has been there, but the next step lies in being ready for them before they arrive.

“It’s about preparing for them during the regular season and then being healthy and ready to get into a championship series and contend for a title.”

“We fell short of that this year, but overall when we reflect, there were many positives to come out of the year. Individually as well, many great performances,” Mills said.

At the centre of those performances was Kristian Doolittle, whose impact continues to shape the identity of the team.

“You look at Kristian Doolittle and the impact he’s had on the NBL. Third in league MVP voting, All-NBL First Team, one of the best defenders in the league,” Mills said.

The ability to retain a core group of players has positioned the Wildcats differently heading into this off-season.

“For us to have him as the foundation of our club and cornerstone piece, along with the guys that are coming back on contract, that’s really exciting for us,” he said.

Continuity, combined with the connection built across the season, has become a key part of what the club is building.

“As a group, I think this was a fantastic group of players to work with. The camaraderie, the chemistry they built over the course of the year through ups and downs and some adversity was really exciting,”

“I think as we’ve evolved as a team this year. Our style of play changed considerably, especially offensively, but defensively, finishing third in defensive rating was a highlight,” Mills said.

Looking ahead, the next phase is about adding to that base and refining the roster to address key gaps.

“The point guard position and playmaking will be a focus in the off-season and how do we build that out with the current construct,” he said.

For a club with the history and standards of Perth, the expectation remains unchanged.

“Although the external expectations of us are a championship, and they should be… none are held higher than ours internally,” he said.

“The NBL has never been harder, you can see how competitive it is going into this grand final series,” Mills said.

“For us, it’s about getting to that next level and winning a championship.”