NZ Breakers guard Corey Webster confessed feeling "frustrated" and "stressed" over the club's refusal to release him to take up a lucrative offer in Turkey.
On Saturday, general manager Matt Walsh confirmed that Webster's agent had approached the club, seeking a release from the final two years of his deal, so his client could sign on with Turkish club Darussafaka.
The offer came after Webster's virtuoso performance for the Tall Blacks at the FIBA World Cup, where he finished as the tournament's third leading scorer (22.8ppg) and caught the attention of top European clubs.
But Walsh was unwilling to let one of his star players depart just weeks out from the tip-off of the new ANBL campaign - not without a substantial buy-out fee as compensation.
The decision has left Webster reeling, to the point where he's unsure whether he'll be in a Breakers jersey come their opening game against the Sydney Kings on October 18.
"I'm not sure yet," a dejected Webster told Newshub. "I can't speak on that."
The 30-year-old said the chance to join brother Tai - who plays for Galatasaray - in the Turkish Super League side was an "amazing opportunity that no-one would turn down".
"It's the biggest offer I've had in my life - an opportunity to really set-up and support my family for a long time, playing in one of the world's best leagues.
"Because of my age, it could've been the last opportunity that I would get to play at this level."
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Webster admitted moving forward with the Breakers and focussing on basketball would now be a significant challenge.
"Mentally, I'm not really in a good place, but I'll take it day by day."
Webster said he'd "most likely" seek professional guidance to help him work through the predicament.
"Not well," Webster responded, when asked how he was dealing with the dilemma. "It's been a stressful time - there's a lot going on."
Last season's Breakers campaign was testing for injury-plagued Webster, who posted some of the lowest numbers of his career to date.
"I was struggling with a lot of injuries, and I risked my body to be out there and play on the floor .
"It was a disappointing year - I couldn't play how I wanted to play. Everyone saw that, everyone knew that I was struggling and going through injuries, but I still tried to do my best."
An intensive off-season workout regime has seen Webster return to full health and the results were on full display during his spectacular outings for New Zealand in China.
His impact went far beyond simply scoring, as he added 4.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, along with his staggering 54.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
They were encouraging signs for Walsh and Breakers fans who hoped he could carry that form into the 2019/20 NBL season as part of one of the most talented rosters the club has ever boasted.
Off-court issues aside, Webster insists he'll try to "be a pro" and continue to give his all on the court for the Breakers, a team he still holds close to his heart.
This would mark Webster's 10th year with the Breakers, after he came up through their development academy to become a crucial piece of the squad that won three ANBL titles.
"This is home," he said. "Breakers have been a part of my life for a long time.
"I still have a lot to be grateful for. I still get to play the game I love if I'm still here, but the mental side of it is obviously a big thing, so I'll try and get through it."
"I'm a basketball player first. I love playing basketball, so whenever I step on the floor, I always try and give my best.
"I'm not going to go out there and mess around. Any time I'm on the floor, I'm trying to win and do well - that's all I can lean on."
Newshub.
