Coach Matt Flinn maintains the Hawks are still on the hunt for another import, after missing out on the prized signature of Illawarra junior Xavier Cooks last week.
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It's been more than a month since veteran NBA guard Aaron Brooks tore his Achilles tendon, ending a brief stay in Wollongong. And speculation rages the Hawks may press on throughout the NBL campaign without securing another player to fill their roster.
LaMelo Ball was the standout with what appeared to be his second straight triple-double on Saturday in New Zealand, helping the Hawks claw their way back to within two points after being blown away early.
However, by Sunday the NBL's official statistics listed Ball with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
Either way, it proved in vain, as the Hawks went down 91-79.
If Ball is the future No.1 NBA draft pick, it's offset by the Hawks being No.9, at the foot of the NBL ladder.
Without Brooks and after Cooks signed with bitter rivals and NBL championship favourites the Sydney Kings, Flinn said the Hawks had been in discussions with three players and will remain in the market.
"It's been no secret we're looking for an import, but we don't want to grab anyone and say that'll do," Flinn said after the loss to the Breakers.
"We've got great team chemistry here and we've been working really hard and building that, so we want to make sure it's the right fit for the group.
"So we're still in discussions with some people, we've been really close to at least three guys. And obviously losing Xav hurt a little bit, so we're holding out for that decision and then that didn't go our way, so we'll re-evaluate after this."
Both Hawks owner Simon Stratford and general manager Mat Campbell declined to comment when approached by the Mercury on Friday about the club's on and off court situation.
Stratford took over the full club licence in February last year after co-owner James Spenceley sold out.
Cooks, the son of Illawarra assistant coach Eric, is eyeing a shot at the Olympics next year with the Boomers and had been training with the Hawks after a stint in Germany.
Ball remains the Hawks great hope of turning their season around before heading to the NBA draft.
"He is learning organised basketball," veteran big man Dave Andersen said.
"He still has moments in the games like any young kid. He's only 18 years old, so he's got a lot of upside to him."
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