Two weeks after hoping to help NBA superstar James Harden end Houston's title drought, Steve Blake now aims to help current NBL leaders Sydney Kings end theirs.
The 36-year-old NBA veteran will arrive in the harbour city on Wednesday night and has four days to prepare for his anticipated NBL debut in front of his new home fans against Brisbane.
It comes just a fortnight after attempting to land a spot alongside Harden at the Rockets this NBA season.
"I was looking at making a change and bring another American guard into the rotation," Kings managing director Jeff Van Groningen told AAP.
"I looked at (my American-based scout's) list and he sent me some different names but hadn't sent me Steve's name. And I said, what about Steve Blake?'
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"He said Steve's still in NBA camps. He was in Houston's camp two weeks ago and he almost made it there."
But as Blake waited for another shot in the NBA, van Grongingen was convinced the former LA Lakers point guard was the final piece of the puzzle for the Kings, who have missed the NBL playoffs in six straight seasons.
Blake joins power forward Josh Powell as the second ex-teammate of retired Lakers icon Kobe Bryant to become Kings in the space of two weeks.
Sydney are undefeated since Powell's arrival, and Van Groningen believes Blake can take them to the next level.
"Steve's played next to Kobe Bryant, he's played next to guys that are significant pieces to their puzzle, and he's done it well. And then at times he's needed to, he's stepped up and hit big, game-winning shots," he said.
"In ensuing conversations I've had with him, he's very much focused on what he cann do to help this team win right now. He's not talking about where is Steve Blake going next?" Van Groningen said.
"I liked that approach about Steve, which was exactly what Josh had coming in two weeks ago. While a lot of players will say that, I felt that both Josh and Steve both were very genuine in that statement."
The additions of Powell and Blake now gives the Kings a combined 20 seasons worth of NBA experience across 12 different clubs, not including coach Andrew Gaze's championship with San Antonio in 1998-99.
Van Groningen admitted attaining NBA players was part of providing a wow factor to Sydney fans.
"That's important for us because we want to try to excel in the way we present this product," he said.
"We want to excel in the way we present game night, and game night's all about not just the stuff around the court."
