Max Mackinnon Just Exploded: Is He a Must-Buy for NBL27 SuperCoach Round 3?
Max Mackinnon has officially moved beyond “interesting preseason value”.
The Brisbane guard exploded for 31 points and 12 rebounds in Friday night’s 103–95 win over Illawarra, shooting 11-of-16 from the field and 6-of-8 from three. It was the best game of his young NBL career and helped Brisbane improve to 2–0.
Now comes the fantasy question that matters: should NBL27 SuperCoach coaches chase it?
For Buckets, the answer is yes — with one important qualification.
You are not buying 31 points or 75 per cent three-point shooting. You are buying a $200,000 GRD/FWD with a growing role, genuine rebounding upside and a Round 3 double.
Buckets call: BUY for Round 3. Expect the shooting to regress, but the combination of price, role, dual-position flexibility and two games makes Mackinnon one of the most interesting early-season value targets.
What changed against Illawarra?
Mackinnon did not simply get hot for five minutes. He attacked the glass, played with pace and repeatedly punished Illawarra when the defence gave him space. Brisbane coach Will Weaver specifically highlighted his rebounding after the game — an important detail for fantasy because it gives Mackinnon a route to scoring even when the threes stop falling.
| Round 2 vs Illawarra | Mackinnon |
|---|---|
| Points | 31 |
| Rebounds | 12 |
| Field goals | 11/16 |
| Three-pointers | 6/8 |
| Brisbane result | 103–95 win |
The obvious warning is the 6-of-8 shooting from deep. Nobody should project that forward.
But stripping away the unsustainable shooting still leaves something useful: 12 rebounds from a guard/wing, a starting role and enough offensive involvement to punish teams that load up on Arnas Velička and Brisbane’s other creators.
Why the Round 3 double matters
Brisbane’s fixture is the other half of the argument. The Bullets play twice in Round 3, giving Mackinnon two opportunities to accumulate points at a price well below the established premiums.
That matters enormously this early in SuperCoach. Coaches are not just trying to maximise this week’s points; they are trying to build team value without sacrificing too much scoring.
Mackinnon also carries GRD/FWD eligibility, making him considerably easier to work into trade structures than a single-position option.
Mackinnon vs Velička vs Hinton
Brisbane suddenly has several fantasy-relevant players, but they should not all be treated the same way.
| Player | Fantasy case | Buckets view |
|---|---|---|
| Arnas Velička | Elite playmaking role; 14 assists on debut and another 11 against Illawarra | Best pure fantasy asset |
| Max Mackinnon | $200k, GRD/FWD, breakout scoring and rebounding, Round 3 double | Best value acquisition |
| Nate Hinton | Multi-category production; 16 points and 10 rebounds against Illawarra | Strong option / draft priority |
| Tyrell Harrison | Interior scoring, rebounding and blocks | Match-up dependent but relevant |
Velička is the player most likely to sustain premium fantasy production because the offence runs through him. His second game was arguably more important than Mackinnon’s explosion: 17 points and 11 assists after opening with 23 points and 14 assists.
That is role certainty.
Mackinnon is different. His attraction is what the price allows you to do elsewhere.
Are we chasing one hot shooting night?
If Mackinnon had scored 31 by making six threes while contributing little elsewhere, Buckets would be far more cautious.
The 12 rebounds change the assessment.
Weaver praised Mackinnon’s ability to attack the boards and immediately create pace. That suggests the rebounding was not accidental stat-sheet noise; it was part of what Brisbane wanted from him.
Still, expectations need to be sensible.
What should regress
- 75 per cent three-point shooting.
- 31 points as a nightly expectation.
- The enormous ceiling created when both happen simultaneously.
What can remain
- Starting-level minutes.
- Rebounding involvement.
- Transition opportunities.
- Secondary scoring beside Velička.
- GRD/FWD flexibility.
- Two Round 3 games.
Fantasy coaches get into trouble when they buy the box score rather than the opportunity. Mackinnon has both right now — but it is the opportunity that makes him a buy.
What about NBL fantasy draft?
The answer is even easier: check whether Mackinnon is available immediately.
He already appeared in Buckets’ preseason sleeper discussions because there was a plausible pathway to a larger Brisbane role. Friday night gave us our first major piece of evidence that the upside is real.
In shallow leagues, Mackinnon becomes a priority waiver consideration. In deeper leagues, he should already be rostered.
Nate Hinton also deserves attention. His 16 points and 10 rebounds against Illawarra followed a useful multi-category opening performance, making him particularly attractive in formats that reward production beyond scoring.
Does Mackinnon become a must-have?
Not quite.
“Must-have” is too strong after two games, especially when the headline performance included 6-of-8 shooting from three.
But must-consider? Absolutely.
The early SuperCoach season is about identifying role and price changes before everyone has the same information. Mackinnon’s Round 3 double gives coaches an unusually convenient window to act.
The Buckets verdict
BUY — but know what you are buying.
Do not trade Max Mackinnon into your side because you expect another 31 points. Trade him in because he remains affordable at the point where his role is expanding, has GRD/FWD flexibility, rebounding gives him another scoring pathway, Brisbane’s offence is functioning well around Velička, and the Bullets have two games in Round 3.
The next Brisbane games will tell us whether Friday night was the beginning of a genuine fantasy breakout or simply the spectacular high point of a useful value season.
Either outcome can still make Mackinnon a good Round 3 trade.
Frequently asked questions
Should I trade Max Mackinnon into NBL27 SuperCoach for Round 3?
He should be firmly in the trade conversation. The $200k starting price, GRD/FWD status, expanding role and Round 3 double make the structure attractive even if his shooting regresses.
Will Mackinnon keep scoring 30 points?
That should not be the expectation. He shot 6-of-8 from three against Illawarra, which is unsustainable. The encouraging fantasy signal is that he also grabbed 12 rebounds.
Is Mackinnon a better pick than Arnas Velička?
They serve different purposes. Velička has the stronger premium fantasy role because Brisbane’s offence runs through his playmaking. Mackinnon is the cheaper value play and may make more sense depending on your trade structure.
Is Mackinnon worth adding in fantasy draft?
Yes. He should now be checked in every league. His combination of minutes, positional flexibility and upside makes him a priority waiver consideration if available.
Is Nate Hinton still worth considering?
Yes. Hinton’s multi-category production remains appealing, particularly in draft formats. Mackinnon’s breakout does not remove Hinton’s role.
Keep planning ahead: use the NBL27 SuperCoach Fixture Guide to map the upcoming doubles, check the latest SuperCoach Trade Targets, and for draft leagues see the NBL27 Fantasy Draft Waiver Wire and Fantasy Draft Top 50.
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