The Cairns Taipans hope journeyman Scott Machado will provide a point of difference as coach Mike Kelly attempts to bounce back from an NBL wooden spoon in his maiden campaign.
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Brazilian international Machado has enjoyed three separate NBA stints, most recently on a 10-day contract with Los Angeles Lakers after starring in the G-League.
The point guard joins import forward Cameron Oliver as new faces in Cairns this year with Oliver, former NBA and Boomers centre Nate Jawai and 208cm talent Majok Deng combining for a front court that could pose problems.
Cairns were blown away in a much-improved NBL last season, winning just six games - six less than second-last Illawarra.
Rivals have continued to up the stakes ahead of Kelly's second year, with New Zealand, Illawarra and new club South East Melbourne Phoenix all recruiting strongly to match heavyweights Perth Wildcats, Melbourne United and Sydney Kings.
Trump card Melo Trimble, who averaged nearly 23 points and five assists per game last season, has been picked up by United.
But the coach is optimistic the 29-year-old, who has played in France, Estonia, Germany, Spain, will be the steady head needed to replace him and avoid a repeat.
"This is really exciting ... he's obviously got a lot of experience with different clubs in different countries, he's a good floor general and has a defensive toughness that will be really important for him against the great point guards we have in our league," Kelly said.
"He's been right there, right on the fringe of the Association (NBA) for many years."
The NBL season begins on October 3, with Cairns' first assignment against Andrew Bogut's Sydney Kings on October 4.
Australian Associated Press
