Well it’s not Nate Robinson, the three-time NBA dunk champion rumoured to be signing with the Kings, but Sydney signed a player with NBA pedigree none the less, announcing earlier today that two-time NBA champion Josh Powell had signed as the team’s third import.
Kings Managing Director Jeff Van Groningen was very clear when discussing the importance of gaining a player like Powell for this season.
“We were forunate that a player with the pedigree and ability of Josh Powell was available.”
“Josh is a ready-made guy that can come in and give us some real heavy work” Van Groningen said.
Powell, 33, won two titles in alongside Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers after starring at North Carolina State. A versatile big man who can play forward or centre had his best NBA season in 2009 when LA Lakers starting centre Andrew Bynum dislocated his left kneecap, Powell played a regular 10-20 minutes per game and showed great promise.
However, with Bynum’s return, Powell saw almost all of his minutes cut but he remained part of the team for it’s 2009 and 2010 NBA title wins.
Josh Powell celebrates winning an NBA title with Kobe Bryant
Since then he has bounced back and forth between the NBA and other international leagues. His resume includes NBA stops at Dallas, Indiana, LA Clippers and Houston as well as recent seasons spent in China (Luoyang Zhonghe), Argentina (San Lorenzo) and the Philippines (Barangay Ginebra).
Powell has agreed to play in Sydney on a one-year deal and will arrive in Sydney before the Kings’ clash against Illawarra on Thursday.
Standing 2.06cm, the talented big man will be a welcome addition to a team who is still without star Julian Khazzouh who suffered a serious knee injury last season.
“Josh is a really significant signing for us. With Julian Khazzouh still out injured, we are a big player short” added Van Groningen.
Powell played 316 games in his six years in the NBA, averaging 3.9ppg and 2.9rpg.
The Kings, who have one roster spot still vacant, will continue to search for a talented guard to finalise their playing group for the year.