The Breakers have taken another blow to their personnel for next season, but the Aussie NBL club is reassuring fans that all is well and help is on the way.
Veteran forward Mika Vukona has signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the next two years and coach Paul Henare has already been replaced by former teammate Kevin Braswell.
Vukona has been one of the club's most influential players for more than 10 years.
- Brisbane Bullets confirm signing of New Zealand Breakers veteran Mika Vukona
- Former guard Kevin Braswell appointed NZ Breakers coach
"Mika really wants to play at a higher level for a longer period than the Breakers probably think he's capable of," says former Breaker forward and now Sky Sport commentator Casey Frank.
"Mika's got a lot of confidence in his ability to play and I think the Breakers might have a different view of what that financial commitment really means."
The move coincides with a change in owners and coach at the beginning of this year.
"The new guys coming in certainly want to put their own stamp on the team," says Frank. "Kevin Braswell would have some ideas of the kind of players he wants to coach as well."
Vukona won't be easy to replace, but the Breakers already have the next wave of talent in their sights.
Corey Webster and Tai Wesley are two players that new coach Braswell wants to bring back to the club after their stint under him at the Wellington Saints in the NZ national league.
"Those two guys are definitely on our list," says Breakers general manager Dillon Boucher. "Kevin Braswell has great relationships with these guys, so if we're going to have an advantage anywhere, it is with Kevin Braswell.
"I'd say don't be concerned. We've got some things on the horizon that will excite the public."
And while Vukona isn't hanging up his boots for good, the hanging of his jersey from the rafters of North Shore Events Centre is certainly on the cards.
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