The Canberra Capitals are in discussions with an American point guard from the WNBA to fill the void left by the departure of Kathleen MacLeod.
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The Capitals are expected to find out next week if they are successful in adding to their roster for the WNBL campaign.
It continued the Capitals' unlucky recruiting run after veteran Belgian centre Ann Wauters chose to remain in Europe for family reasons.
Capitals coach Carrie Graf said the American point guard was weighing up more financially lucrative offers in Europe.
"We are deep in discussions with a US point guard and we are somewhat confident," Graf said.
"We are not offering the same money as she could get in Europe, but we are looking for a sponsor to help us do that.
"Hopefully we'll have some answers next week."
The attraction of playing in the Australian summer as opposed to the European winter and the shorter season in the WNBL could work in the Capitals' favour.
Capitals star Lauren Jackson has made positive progress on her knee injury, but Graf wouldn't put a timeline on her return to the court.
"Her rehab is going really well and the strength she has around her knee, the strength and conditioning guys are excited about where it is," Graf said.
"How the knee is functioning is better than it's been in a long, long time.
"There's an excited level of confidence that we will see her in action and she will be playing a big part of the season."
The Capitals will head to Queensland next week for three pre-season games in four days against the South-East Queensland Stars.
The teams square off in Toowoomba on Thursday night, Brisbane on Saturday and Logan on Sunday.
"It's a great opportunity for us," Graf said.
"We're so good on the perimeter - we've got great size, athleticism and experience.
"Our youthful players, Abbey Wehrung and Stephanie Talbot, are better than they were at the end of last season and there's a great chemistry feel about the group."
