The potential return of the Manawatu Jets is "one of several significant changes being considered" for the New Zealand National Basketball League, according to Niall Anderson of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. The Jets pulled out of the competition in '15 "due to reduced funding and an unsustainable business model," but have submitted an application to return for the '18 NBL season. Basketball New Zealand CEO and NBL Chair Iain Potter said that a decision "is close on whether the Jets will be back in the league." If the Jets' application is successful, the club's re-entry to the league "could coincide with several rule changes which are being weighed up by the NBL board." The first regards the amount of Oceania players eligible, "with concerns being raised at the end of last season of the rule being misused by teams looking to stack their sides with non-local talent." Potter also believes that the limit on naturalized players "could be lifted; though that is unlikely to have a major impact in terms of eligible players." Possibly the "most impactful" rule change up for debate is increasing the number of restricted players per team from two to three -- a change "only likely to be made if the Oceania rule is scrapped" (NZ HERALD, 8/14).
