American forward Lamar Patterson is expected to join the NZ Breakers for their 2020/21 Australian NBL campaign.
But while the signing should be regarded as a coup, it suggests prized import Scotty Hopson won't return for a second stint with the Auckland-based club.
ESPN reports Patterson, 28, will replace Hopson on coach Dan Shamir's roster, after averaging 21.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists for Brisbane Bullets last season, when he was named on the All-NBL First Team.
Hopson was named All-NBL Second Team, averaging 19.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists.
Securing Hopson's return has been a priority for the Breakers, since they narrowly failed to reach last summer's playoffs.
But Patterson's representatives approached the club, when they learned Hopson was still mulling an offer sent to him in March.
Patterson played alongside Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams at University of Pittsburgh and scored his 2019/20 season high of 36 points against the Breakers in December.
"Not club can ignore Lamar Patterson is he comes knocking, because he's a superstar in this league and statistically the best small forward in the NBL for the last two seasons," says Breakers owner Matt Walsh.
"It's evident, after so much bad luck last season, our fortunes have changed."
After leaving Pittsburgh in 2014, he was drafted 48th in the NBA by Milwaukee Bucks and was immediately traded to Atlanta Hawks, where he made 44 appearances.
Patterson has played in Turkey, the NBA Development League, Puerto Rico, Italy and China, and earned All-NBL honours over two seasons with Brisbane.
"Lamar is a proven guy all over the world and we had major issues trying to stop him when we played him," says Shamir. "We are incredibly happy about this pick-up, because we wanted a player who can do it all.
"Lamar Patterson and Scotty Hopson are similar players - both of them pick and roll with similar size. Lamar slightly better in the low post and is harder to stop around the rim, Hopson is a marginally better player on the open floor.
"The signing of Lamar means we now have one of the best starting units I've ever coached."
The Breakers are already well placed for next season, signing a core of Tall Blacks stars that includes captain Tom Abercrombie, brothers Corey and Tai Webster, Finn Delany and Rob Loe.
They have vacancies for three more players, including another import - perhaps a centre - and a 'Next Star', filled last season by NBA draft prospect RJ Hampton.
