Rebuilding the empire: Kings lay foundations for NBL26

They’ve assembled a starting five that will be the envy of many, headlined by a formidable trio in Kendric Davis, Matthew Dellavedova and Xavier Cooks. Add in Bul Kuol and returning NBL23 Champion Tim Soares, and the Kings look stacked across the board.

Establishing connection will be vital, with three starters new to the group since last season.

“The culture piece, the growth of that. I know ‘culture’ is a big word and can be interpreted in many ways. Setting standards and driving those standards was a rollercoaster last year. We’ve identified that as a big part of being better. One key was getting our best players together and our team together as soon as possible,” head coach Brian Goorjian said from Las Vegas.

The ‘big three’, Cooks, Dellavedova and Davis have already spent time working together in the US, as the Kings look to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointment.

Touted as one of the most talented squads in recent NBL history, the group failed to live up to the hype.

“We have a group. Our glass was half full. A group we like, that we feel is young and will grow,” Goorjian said.

“Now we have a better idea of their strengths and weaknesses, so a better understanding of what to bring in. Kendric Davis and Delly were huge in that piece. Those two were very important.

“To get them with Xavier early and start talking about standards, because it comes from your leaders, was very important. We got Kendric into Vegas. We spent good time together.

“The whole aspect we’re talking about now led to Tim Soares. The guys we brought back, who were Kings before me, spoke highly of him. He would play that role perfectly. That growth, the standards, we’re trying to build that. He’s elite at it.”

Goorjian described Soares as an ideal fit alongside the team's headline trio.

“We had a couple of conversations with him. We keep talking about the other two pieces, but that big around the basket, rebounding, putting a body on those bigs Adelaide had last year, was a problem for us.

“We feel comfortable that we’ve identified what was missing. Now the work is on. Building those standards.

“New coaching staff. Andrew Bogut is on now. New ownership. Last year, lots of new players. It’s a build. Everyone’s on the same page trying to be a consistent top four.

“It’s really difficult because there are only ten teams, and we’re producing so many Australians. It’s hard to get an edge.”

While assisting the New York Knicks' coaching staff at Summer League, Goorjian highlighted the rising global regard for NBL and Australian talent.

This year, 27 players with links to the Australian and New Zealand NBL are using the Las Vegas stage to catch the attention of NBA scouts.

“When you hear the name, ‘He’s an Australian,’ there’s a Delly, a Joe Ingles. Their eyes light up,” Goorjian said.

“There’s a reputation… he’s going to be good in all those areas that people don’t always understand as skills. Work ethic is a skill. Learning is a skill. Being a good teammate is a skill.

“Most of the time, Australians, just our culture of teamship, it’s seen in our country. If you don’t have that, you can’t win.”