The NBL secured a major coup on Thursday when former NBA swingman Sam Young signed with the Sydney Kings.
While the signing represents the second NBA player to head Down Under in 2013-14, joining Miami Heat small forward James Ennis in Perth, it has happened in embarrassing fashion for Kings’ leadership.
Young’s agent, Joel Bell, announced the signing before the Kings made the transaction official and before the club had released one of its imports, the league limit.
“Sam had other options, but this one made the most sense and will pay him as the highest player in the league,” Bell said.
The Kings have to yet comment on the new signing.
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Current backcourt imports Jesse Sanders and Charles Carmouche will both suit up against the Townsville Crocodiles at home on Friday night, but one of the duo will not survive Young’s arrival in Australia.
The 28-year-old, 198cm forward played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Phildelphia 76ers and most recently the Indiana Pacers over a four-year NBA career, contributing solid reserve averages of 5.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes of action over 249 games.
Young has an NBA-escape clause in his deal that could see him return to the US at any time should a contract offer hit the table.
Carmouche has been the better of the two imports (16ppg) but could be easily replaced by the nearly healthy Ben Magden, who is close to returning from a dislocated ankle.
The high-flying James Ennis has done wonders for basketball in Perth and Australia, signing a guaranteed deal with the Wildcats rather than taking the risk of a non-guaranteed opportunity with the Heat during training camp.
Expect Young to have a similar influence in Sydney.
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