29
Oct
CODE Sports
Sydney's roster issues as third import not on radar
Bul Kuol of the Kings looks dejected after the loss during the round five NBL match between Tasmania Jackjumpers and Sydney Kings at MyState Bank Arena, on October 15, 2025, in Hobart, Australia. Photo: Steve Bell/Getty Images
A marquee player is struggling to deliver as the Sydney Kings fight to find form
- The Sydney Kings are 3-5 after Round 6 losses to SEM Phoenix and Tasmania
- Chase Buford's Kings in 2021-22 won the NBL championship after starting 3-5
- The Kings play the Brisbane Bullets and Melbourne United in Round 7
- Brian Goorjian admits Kings in "dog fight"
Sydney Kings officials have declared a third import isn’t on their radar as the under-fire club must defy the record books to reach the playoffs in NBL26, reports Matt Logue from CODE Sports Basketball.
The Kings need to emulate former coach Chase Buford’s team’s run home in NBL22 to become the second team in franchise history to reach the post-season after starting with a 3-5 record this year.
It follows losses to South East Melbourne Phoenix and Tasmania JackJumpers in Round 6.
Only one Sydney team — the championship-winning side in 2022 — has qualified for the post-season after a 3-5 start or worse. Buford’s men overcame a slow start to finish the regular season on an incredible 21-4 run, including a perfect record in the playoffs to win the championship.
This season’s Kings face an uphill battle to replicate the ’22 squad’s remarkable winning run, but they’ll still need to win a large majority of games to buck history and make the playoffs.
A major issue for Sydney is Bul Kuol’s lucrative marquee contract.
The South Sudanese guard has struggled during his time at the Kings, averaging just 5.4 points and shooting 41.2 per cent from the field and 37.1 per cent from three in his 33 games. He has only attempted a total of 21 free throws over that 33 game span.
The Kings are currently operating with just two imports compared to three like the rest of the competition due to Kuol and Xavier Cooks’ marquee deals.
In order for Sydney get a third import, Kuol’s marquee contract would need to be converted to a regular salary counting against the cap. That would put the Kings in tax territory plus the additional cost of getting the third import they desperately need, but at this point club officials aren’t willing to spend.
“We are not considering adding a third import at this time,” the Kings said in a statement to Code Sports.
For the full story on CODE Sports, click here.
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