The Breakers will welcome back one of their best next season, but the chance of another staying is up in the air.
The club has signed favourite son Kirk Penney on a three-year deal, a player the Breakers described as near the top of their wish list.
The club also confirmed it's in talks with Cedric Jackson but new league rules mean teams have more to spend, and the star import has been targeted by multiple teams, including the Breakers.
"We're talking with Cedric's agent and we're working hard with his agent to make sure we're clear with what we can offer, and then the ball is in his court and they'll make a decision that's best for Cedric as well," general manager Dillon Boucher said.
With or without Jackson, Penney's presence means the Breakers will again be contenders for the title.
The 35-year-old's return to the NBL last season was highlighted by four dominating performances against his former club and now new Breakers head coach Paul Henare won't have to worry about a repeat.
"He's got such a proven track record, on this side of the world and the other side of the world, wherever he goes he's successful and he's achieved a lot. It's a great day for the club to say Kirk's going to be a Breaker and for the next little while as well," Henare said.
Penney spent four seasons with the Breakers, capped with the club's first title in 2011.
He says bringing his family home was a big factor in the decision for what's likely to be the final stint of his career.
"I just feel really fortunate to still be able to play and I love playing the game. To be able to play in Auckland was special before and will be special again," Penney said.
Penney is the fifth player on the books as Henare and Boucher build their first roster. He's the first new signing and likely not the last.
"Definitely the potential to see some new names come into this group. At the end of the day we were one game away from the championship with everything we went through. The goal was to keep the core of that roster together and we're trying to achieve that, so I think it'll be a mix of both," Henare said.
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