Really good news for Didi! Shows the next star program has done its job. Although reading through the ESPN article, I don't necessarily agree with the following:

"Over his two years in Sydney...was widely regarded as one of the NBL's most reliable perimeter defenders."

Congrats Didi!

I'm assuming/hoping that they are trying to package it with an announcement as to a replacement, however given timeframes and quarantines etc. I'm not sure whoever they bring in is going to be enough to see the Kings in the top 4.

Great news for Didi, who had finally stayed healthy enough to play himself into form. Not so great for the Kings as that makes 4 starters we've lost so far this season, but I'll be following Didi along in the NBA also and hope he sticks.

Given that he is a next star player I don't think he can be replaced?

Four starters you've lost? Xavier and who else?

Well done to Didi. He'll get some opportunities in NO as they desperately need guard play. Hope he can stay healthy and prove himself

Glover not a starter but was set to be a rotation player.

Sydney, Cairns, NZ and Brisbane all affected by significant roster changes.

Lol , teys has shown more than didi this season

^ hot take.

Bowen hadn't been drafted though they developed him and of course Tate went from the lowly Belgian league to the Kings to getting a 3 year deal from Houston so you have to give them credit.

Well done to Didi too the kid couldn't even speak English when he signed with the Kings.

Yeah especially with Tassie joining the league. There are two (off the top of my head) DPs who have definitely shown they are full roster players, but depending on the next crop of Aussies coming through and which names retire this season it feels like 3 imports is a good idea next season.

#538 - Idiot. Cotton has played in the NBA. Perth fans don't want him back there for obvious reasons - perhaps not obvious to idiot above.
Good luck to Didi, hope it works out well.

Didi, Tate, Weaver - Kings getting it done for the NBL!

This is one of those occasions where you're happy to lose a good player because it’s good for them and reinforces how good the NBL is!

Are they crap or do we expect our second/third import to also be a star?

What if second import is getting paid, the 5th most salary and is the weakest of the starting 5? Or coming off the bench?

Hard to tell what the expectations are - Crocker for instance not sure what was expected of him/how much he is paid.

If you have IH, DJ and a first import as "stars" (even though first import wasn't good), then second import might not be getting much money? Maybe Crocker is delivering reasonably?

Really depends on what the expectations are. One would think there’s a fair market out there for imports of the calibre they pay for a second import, bigger than Aussie market, should in theory be able to get a bit better talent for money. With that said there’s always risk for whatever reasons whether it be limited scouting, bringing an American into an Aussie league etc where Aussies become more consistent and reliable than their import counterparts.

Both those guys already had the NBA on their radars. Bowen went from a high school all-American to a G League player via the Kings. What development did he receive?

Drafted in 2019. Clearly has been developing since then.

All the best to Didi but I haven't seen enough improvement in his game this year to warrant such an elevation.

It doesn't really matter what I, you or anyone else thinks as someone from the Pelicans front office has seen enough to decide to bring him back on a multiyear deal. At least he got to play against men (not just train) which is far better than sitting on the bench in the NBA or be in G league.

Haha someone's trolling

Nah anonymous, as someone said we Perth fans are greedy. We don't want him in the NBA; we want him winning championships for us XD

Let's not forget Cotton got recalled to the NBA a few seasons ago and knocked it back.

Don't give in to obvious troll, this ain’t a thread about Cottons NBA capabilities. We know he capable.