Continuity is key for rising Phoenix: King

After a second straight semi-final exit, King believes the group that delivered a club-record 22 regular season wins has the foundation to go even further.

“The next step is to get as many of these guys back as possible because we’ve got a really good team,” King said.

“We’ll make sure we have a really strong local core, then build from there, start working on our three imports, and hopefully retain some of the guys we already have.”

The Phoenix brought back several key pieces this season, including Jordan Hunter, Nathan Sobey, Angus Glover, Owen Foxwell and Malique Lewis, while Luke Rosendale was elevated late in the NBL26 campaign.

However, the club is expected to lose Next Star Malique Lewis to the NBA Draft after the Trinidadian completed the maximum two years in the program.

“Malique’s had an unbelievable season. I think he’s really progressed over his two years here… he started to find a groove,” King said.

“He had a big series, and you could probably say his performance in game two put us over the top.

“He’s going to have a big-time career somewhere.”

Heading into next season, Hunter, Sobey, Glover, Foxwell, Daniel Foster, DJ Mitchell (option) and Ellis Biggar (option) are all currently contracted.