NZ Breakers owner Matt Walsh remains hopeful his side will be able to host a handful of home games in next year's Aussie National Basketball League, as the side prepares to call Melbourne home for the foreseeable future.
The squad will travel to Melbourne, Australia next week, where they'll begin training for their first game against Melbourne United on January 15.
The first eight games of the Breakers' schedule has already been released, with just one 'home' game against the Sydney Kings scheduled for February 8, although a venue is yet to be determined.
The Breakers will likely play their 'home' fixtures in Melbourne or come to a commercial arrangement to stage the contest at an opponent’s arena.
Speaking to Newshub, Walsh said he's optimistic that the Breakers will be able to finish the season up in New Zealand, should a travel bubble with Australia open up.
If that does happen, Spark Arena would stage more games to finish out of the season.
"We grew attendance by 37 percent and by the end of last season, Spark Arena was like a party," said Walsh. "We would love to bring our games back and play in front of our fans.
"We're hoping by March or April that will happen, but we can't control that.
"While we're hoping to be back in early March, we may not be back until we win the championship in June.
"Either way we're prepared and we've logistically set it up so regardless of what happens, we'll be prepared.
"We've only got one 'home' to start the season because the league is doing as much as possible for us to stage as many games as possible should a bubble open.
"We can't control it and if that does happen we'll be prepared to come back and play some games in Auckland."
The side still has one roster spot to fill and Newshub understands local players Tom Vadonavich, Ethan Rusbatch and Hyrum Harris are all being considered, with an announcement due before the team departs to Australia.
Walsh says the squad is eager to get back out on the court, having last taken to the court in February.
During the offseason, the Breakers have bolstered their roster by adding Lamer Patterson - a two-time all-NBL first-teamer - centre Colton Iverson, while Tai Webster has also returned.
"When we've had nine months from our last game, our guys are anxious to get out there and play," said Walsh.
"This has been a long time coming, knowing we can go at a moment's notice.
"Now we're here, I'm sure all the guys would be home for Christmas, but it's part of being a professional sportsman. It's a high-level league and our guys are ready to go over and win some games."
Walsh also revealed he's pushing the NBL to add one more import spot to every team's roster, which would enable them to try to sign big-name veteran players from leagues overseas.
The Breakers used former Chicago Bulls big man Joakim Noah in a social media campaign even though he's not part of the team.
Walsh is close friends with Noah, as the pair played together at the University of Florida.
Noah is currently a free agent after being released by the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Breakers also can't sign him as they've used up their two import roster spots on Patterson and Iverson.
"Instead of the next stars program, it would be called the next vet program.," says Walsh. "If a guy has a certain amount of NBA games under his belt you could bring them in.
"It would be great for the league if you could get some of these guys at the backend of their career and help grow the interest overseas."
