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The Cairns Taipans are set to finalise their roster for the 2026-27 NBL season with an unlikely acquisition, landing a former Next Star and NBA Draft selection who will look to use the club\u2019s history of developing young talent to take the next step in his career.<\/p>\n
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n The Taipans are set to sign former NBL Next Star Malique Lewis, sources told Fox Sports Australia.<\/i><\/p>\n Lewis, who spent the past two seasons with the South East Melbourne Phoenix, was selected with the 60th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks via the Washington Wizards just two months ago.<\/p>\n The deal will see the Trinidad and Tobago native join Cairns as an import, becoming the club\u2019s second alongside Jaylon Brown.<\/a><\/p>\n For the Bucks, Lewis\u2019 move back to the NBL represents a draft-and-stash strategy, a common pathway for NBA teams looking to continue the development of international prospects.<\/p>\n It allows Milwaukee to retain Lewis\u2019 NBA Draft rights without his contract counting towards the team\u2019s salary while he continues his development overseas.<\/p>\n A similar example is Luke Travers, who was selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n Travers had already spent three seasons with the Perth Wildcats before being drafted and returned to the club for the 2022-23 NBL season as a draft-and-stash player, before eventually making the move to the United States.<\/p>\n NBL Blitz 2026: Every Loggins-Bruton Cup winner, MVP and players to watch<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n For Lewis, Cairns will offer a different opportunity.<\/p>\n The expectation is the 6\u20198 forward will see career-high usage and minutes during NBL27 as he continues to develop as a versatile wing and defender.<\/p>\n Lewis is coming off two seasons in the NBL Next Stars program, where he played 63 games for the South East Melbourne Phoenix.<\/p>\n In his most recent season, he averaged 6.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals in just 21 minutes per game, while shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.6% from three.<\/p>\n His NBL career-high came against the Tasmania JackJumpers last season, when he poured in 23 points to go with four rebounds and four assists in a thrilling 103-102 victory. Lewis connected on five of his seven attempts from three, shooting 71.4% from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n If Lewis sees his playing time climb towards 30 minutes per game in Cairns, there is a genuine chance he could put his name into the conversation for the league\u2019s Most Improved Player award, currently held by Adelaide 36ers guard Flynn Cameron.<\/p>\n