The big decisions still facing the Phoenix

It will be a very different looking South East Melbourne Phoenix team when the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season tips off.

While MVP candidate Nathan Sobey and big man Jordan Hunter remain key pieces of Josh King's starting unit, almost every other face around them will be new, including Sobey's backcourt partner.

“I think the Phoenix saw this most recent Championship Series and what Bryce Cotton did to them in the semi-finals, they’ve realised that having one of those small dynamic electric point guards is the way to go,” ESPN’s Olgun Uluc said on NBL Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“Some of the names I’ve heard of the imports that they’ve reached out to in that point guard position are high level guys … high-powered scoring type point guards.

“It feels like that’s the direction they’re going to go down.”

It has been an off-season of significant change for the Phoenix, with defensive standout John Brown III signing in Europe and Owen Foxwell taking up a college opportunity at Wisconsin.

Uluc believes those departures could shape the profile of the club's final import signing.

“If they do go for that high powered point guard, I feel like the four spot, I don’t know if it will be a John Brown III type, but I think you need someone who could definitely guard multiple positions, or at the very least that third import spot be able to guard multiple positions,” Uluc said.

“Because I don’t think there are any guys on this roster at the moment that are known for that end of the floor.”

The Phoenix's biggest signing so far this off-season was the addition of former Melbourne United wing Tanner Krebs, who crossed the rivalry on a multi-year deal.

“I still think we can give Tanner Krebs that starting nod as of right now,” Pete Hooley added.

“I think unless when they’re going shopping, they find someone who can beat out Tanner Krebs and it all works out for them, but it seems that the route they’re going to go down.

“With the way this roster is built, everything they have there, their imports are going to be so key.”

For King, nailing the club's remaining import signings could determine just how high the Phoenix can climb, with the focus on building a roster that gets the best out of Sobey after arguably the strongest season of his career.

“Can they nail them and get them right from the get go?,” Hooley added.

“Because under Josh King, with some good locals … Sobey’s getting better with age, (Angus) Glover coming back and he’s looked unbelievable for the Boomers. You’ve got Tanner Krebs, he’s going to have a little chip on his shoulder to show why he’s deserving of being a starter calibre in this league.

“Those bones are great, now what they add is going to be crucial.”