IT is hard to see anyone other than the Sydney Kings entering the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) as title favourites, after the team from the Harbour City loaded up on talent over the off-season.

Following back to back championships in 2022 and 2023, the Kings were eliminated in the play-in last season, in a disappointing conclusion to their campaign as many expected them to take home a third title.

However, Sydney was the most aggressive team throughout the off-season, and are now poised to return to the winners’ list throughout the upcoming fixture.

Sydney Kings

Last time around

The Kings did not deliver to the same standard that opposition teams had come to expect of them throughout the last few years, and although they did look good enough to win it all again at times, they could not book a top-two spot.

The departure of Chase Buford as coach began to take a toll on the team, as Sydney’s on-court performance lacked the bite that got it to championships in the past. The Kings dropped some crucial games in the lead up to the postseason and dropped to fifth at the conclusion of the home and away season.

During the play-in, they fell to the New Zealand Breakers in a close contest, ending their season given it was an elimination clash. It was an underwhelming finish given the lofty heights Sydney had reached in the seasons prior.

The off-season

No one made more waves in the off-season than the Kings, starting with the top role, as Mahmoud Abdelfattah departed the team and Sydney acquired legendary head coach Brian Goorjian. Arguably the best coach to ever lead in the NBL, Goorjian’s presence alone immediately puts the Kings into championship contention.

Sydney was also boosted by the return of former NBL MVP Xavier Cooks, who is back after a stint in the NBA. Cooks was awarded the NBL’s top gong during his most recent campaign on Australian shores, and could be one of the top players in the competition once again.

The Kings also brought in former NBL guns Cameron Oliver and Jaylin Galloway, while Bul Kuol will also be an important addition for the team, and there is no doubt that Sydney has constructed the most star-studded roster in the NBL.

Projected Starters (when healthy)

Jaylen Adams
Bul Kuol
Alex Toohey
Xavier Cooks
Cam Oliver

One to watch

Although Cooks was the biggest signing for the team, his pairing in the frontcourt with Oliver will be vital to Sydney’s success. Oliver was once one of the most exciting players in the NBL, throwing down massive dunks and dominating the paint with a physical style of play that proved too much for opposition players.

Oliver’s big body in the low block allows Cooks to move more freely when scoring, and can allow the former MVP to use his motor, which is his biggest strength, rather than needing to do the dirty work in the post that can be physically taxing.