The Sydney Kings have signed NBA championship-winning forward Damion James in a final attempt to rectify their floundering NBL season.
James, who was on the end of the San Antonio Spurs' bench in their 2013-14 title triumph, arrives in Sydney on Thursday as a replacement for re-injured import Josh Childress.
The 28-year-old will then be immediately back in the air when he joins his new teammates to take on the streaking Breakers on Friday night in New Zealand.
Barring any complications, James is expected to slot straight into Childress' power-forward spot.
"It's very exciting for us to get a player of his calibre on such short notice to cover Josh," Kings CEO Craig Meagher told AAP.
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James comes to Australia having last played with Le Mans Sarthe in France, where he averaged almost seven points and three rebounds in 20 minutes.
He was initially drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the 24th pick in the 2010 NBA draft, but moved to New Jersey and scored more than four points a game in his rookie season.
His fourth and final season in the NBA was with Australian duo Patty Mills and Aaron Baynes in San Antonio, although he appeared in just five regular-season games.
He still received a championship ring after the Spurs defeated Miami in five games.
James, who was also a teammate of superstar Kevin Durant at Texas, is the third NBA player to appear for the Kings this season after veteran Al Harrington filled in last month for Childress.
"It's exciting for the fans and we certainly hope when he gets here he can show his wares," Meagher said.
"It's good for the game as well. The NBL, given the level of it now, is starting to attract guys like this. Like with Al Harrington previously, it's really positive and we're really excited by it."
The Kings confirmed Childress would be out for up to four weeks with a fractured finger on his left hand.
After Friday's clash with the Breakers, the last-placed Kings take on second-placed Perth on Sunday in what will be the final game at the Sydney Entertainment Centre before moving to Homebush for the rest of the season.
