LOADING up with some proven talent after missing out on the finals during their last campaign, the Sydney Kings will be eager to return to the postseason when they hit the court during the 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) fixture.

Despite sitting in a top-two spot in the final month of the home and away season last time around, the Kings slipped down to fifth by season’s end, and were eliminated by the Adelaide 36ers in the play-in tournament, bringing their season to a premature conclusion.

However, the Kings have since added some seriously high-quality talent over the off-season, and with Brian Goorjian at the helm once again, will undoubtedly be one of the major players in the race for the championship.

Sydney Kings

Roster

Bul Kuol, Goc Malual, Jason Spurgin, Jaylin Galloway, Keli Leaupepe, Kendric Davis, Kouat Noi, Lueth Awan, Makuach Maluach, Matthew Dellavedova, Shaun Bruce, Tim Soares, Tyler Robertson, Xavier Cooks

The Kings are taking a star-studded roster into the 2025/26 NBL season, headlined by the additions of Dellavedova and Davis over the offseason. Adding the star backcourt pair to the likes of Cooks and Galloway – who is projected to make a big leap following a big Asia Cup campaign – should see the Kings launch into championship contention.

Key player – Kendric Davis

The Kings’ biggest offseason recruit was Davis, who is fresh off a terrific campaign with the 36ers, where he finished second in MVP voting and was one of the most productive offensive players in the entire competition. His ceiling was as good as anyone’s on the scoring front, while his passing opened up opportunities for his teammates as well. It was not exactly a clean split from Adelaide either, and Davis appears to have landed in the harbour city with a chip on his shoulder. If he can get back to his MVP-calibre form, it will be massive for the Kings’ title aspirations, and if he and Dellavedova can mesh in the backcourt, they will prove tough to stop.

Key to success – Jaylin Galloway’s likely breakout season

Galloway is returning to the NBL fresh off a wonderful stint at international level, having been named as the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Most Valuable Player for his efforts in leading Australia to a gold medal last month. An NBA return is certainly on the cards after he showed elite athleticism and excellent three-level scoring, and he remains integral to Sydney’s chances of success. If he can bring that form into the upcoming NBL season and become the team’s fourth genuine star alongside Dellavedova, Davis and Cooks, the Kings may just prove hard to stop.

In a sentence

It is hard to see the Kings not being one of the serious contenders for the championship in the 2025/26 NBL season, and if they can get all of their stars to gel and get some solid contributions from their role players too, Goorjian should lead the team deep into finals.