Basketball: Steven Adams, Thunder giving Tall Blacks positive signs

Oklahoma City Thunder centre Steven Adams. Photo / AP

The Tall Blacks are closing in on their most prized possession.

Coach Paul Henare has been having informal discussions with centre Steven Adams since he returned home about his participation in the upcoming Oceania Olympic qualifying series.

Adams will return to Oklahoma soon for a check up on his hand and have a discussion with his new coach about his availability for New Zealand.

Henare says OKC and Adams have been giving them positive signs.

"Things are progressing nicely. We're in constant communication with OKC, but I'm pretty confident that we'll, at some stage soon, sit down and talk through details and dates and availability and those sorts of things."

Henare says Kirk Penney's involvement with the Tall Blacks looks to be over.

"I get the feel that his time in the black singlet is coming to an end, but I'm going to continue to have those discussions with him and whether he wants to make a definitive decision on whether he plays or not."

Henare added all of their other overseas players are keen to return.

"I've touched base with almost every player that was involved in the World Cup last year in Spain and all have expressed their interest in playing."