HIS departure stung but Kevin Lisch may inadvertently deliver another blow to the Hawks faithful in announcing his retirement.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One of the best to wear a Hawks uniform, Lisch was crowned MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in his lone season in Wollongong in 2016.
A perennial World's Nicest Man finalist, he'll retire with the best wishes of the Hawks faithful - but it leaves them facing an uncomfortable reality when it comes to their current stars.
With Casper Ware having also opted out of his Kings contract, the league heavyweights will be looking to fill a void in the back court, with Hawks youngsters Sunday Dech and Angus Glover in their sights.
The pair became free agents when the club was placed into administration in February, leaving them free to explore their options.
The pair will give the Hawks every opportunity at the negotiating table but those odds are lengthening as the NBL drags its feet in ownership talks, leaving the club without an owner or coach less than a month out from free agency.
They'll attract plenty of interest there, as will the likes of Emmett Naar, Sam Froling and Todd Blanchfield, with interim GM Mat Campbell hamstrung as the process drags on.
Should any depart they'll join Lisch on a decorated list of Hawks stars lured away by their arch-rivals as Lisch was in 2016.
His stint with the Kings was largely injury-riddled but also showed the touches of class that made him a two-time MVP and one of only a handful to claim the league's top individual honour and DPOY in the same season.
Speaking to the Kings website on Tuesday, Lisch said the toll his uncompromising style took on his body ultimately prompted him to draw the curtain.
"There are obviously a lot of [reasons], the event that got the ball rolling was the second game of the season when I broke my ankle," Lisch said.
"That kind of exacerbated the situation with my ankle. I obviously consulted a lot of people but, really from the halfway point of the season, I had a pretty good idea this where it was going to end up.
"I'm fine with that, it's time to move on. It's been fun."
Lisch reserved special thanks for former Hawks and Perth coach Rob Beveridge, agent Warren Craig and the Kings with whom he'll remain associated in an off-court role.
"I want to thank my wife Rachel, and children Benjamin, Sofia, Isabel, and Isaac who bring me so much joy and have been my biggest fans," he said.
"In particular I'd like to thank Rob Beveridge and Warren Craig for their support and friendship, and I am grateful to all of the players and coaches that I competed against who helped me become a better basketball player throughout my journey," he said.
"Lastly I'd like to thank Paul Smith, Chris Pongrass and the Kings organisation for their help during this decision process, and I'm looking forward to continuing my role with the Kings in a different capacity."