Newley has spent the past five seasons at the Sydney Kings and has played 255 games across an NBL career that began with the Townsville Crocodiles in 2004, but is yet to taste the ultimate success.

The 36-year-old represented Australia at the Beijing and London Olympics, and has also spent stints playing in the US, Greece, Turkey, Lithuania, and Spain.

Newley will join a United outfit featuring the likes of Chris Goulding, David Barlow, Jo Lual-Acuil, and Shea Ili.

Grand final MVP Jock Landale is expected to chase his NBA dreams, while it remains unclear if Melbourne will re-sign import Scotty Hopson.

Guard Mitch McCarron is expected to sign with the Brisbane Bullets.

"Newley is a true veteran of basketball in our country," Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said.

"He has achieved success throughout the course of his career, but an NBL championship still eludes him, so we're hoping to help him there when we make our charge to go back-to-back.

"Melbourne United fans should now be getting really excited about this roster we are building.

"We're doing everything we can to put us right back up there in the mix to contest for yet another championship."

Australian Associated Press