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The Perth Wildcats have triggered the club option on Tai Webster's contract while releasing the starting guard's brother Corey Webster ahead of the NBL free agency period.
A three-time NBL champion in previous stints with the New Zealand Breakers, Corey Webster departs the Wildcats after two seasons.
The 35-year-old guard will be among the local stars on the market when the free agency period opens on Monday.
"Corey's leadership, veteran experience and scoring ability has been a valued asset for the team the last two seasons," Perth general manager of basketball operations Danny Mills said.
"He was a true professional and leader throughout his time with the organisation.
"It's an unfortunate part of the business where we have to make difficult decisions in regard to the roster and we wish Corey and his young family all the very best for what's next in their journey."
![Corey Webster.](https://syndicates.s3.amazonaws.com/aap/assets/20240412160436/da00e073-6f81-433d-a5c8-f09b303515ad.jpg)
Corey Webster has courted controversy at times throughout his NBL career and was suspended last year for a homophobic social media post.
The Wildcats have also released guard Kyle Zunic, who played 40 games for the club.
Tai Webster's signature means Perth have contracted the starting five that threatened to win the title last season before losing to eventual champions the Tasmania JackJumpers in the Play-Offs.
American guard Jordon Crawford starred for the JackJumpers in their Championship Series decider against Melbourne United but is yet to come to terms on a new deal with the club.
Crawford and fellow imports Tyler Harvey (Illawarra), Patrick Miller (Cairns), Gary Clark (Illawarra), Ian Clark (Melbourne), Anthony Lamb (New Zealand), Zylan Cheatham (New Zealand), Jordan Usher (Perth) and Jaylen Adams (Sydney) are all sure to attract plenty of interest on the open market.
NBL clubs are free to sign uncontracted players from 9am Monday (AEST).
Teams can still have a maximum of three imports next season, with 11 contracted players per roster.
Players signed under the Next Stars program do not count towards the 11 contracted players.