KEY POINTS:
The Breakers have offered Mika Vukona a two-year contract extension and are hoping to lock up their rising star before the NBL's anti-tampering deadline expires.
Vukona, a rebounding specialist who played a key role in getting the Breakers to the playoffs for the first time this season, is effectively off contract.
But the Breakers aim to re-sign him before he becomes an unrestricted free agent two weeks after the grand final series ends. Until then they are the only club allowed to negotiate with a player who has been with them since their inception.
Vukona's sparkling form is sure to have caught the eye of rival clubs but Breakers chief executive Richard Clarke is hopeful of getting a deal done before Vukona tests the market.
"We're working on Mika at the moment and hopefully we'll get a good result sooner rather than later."
Clarke agreed Vukona's stock would have risen markedly this season. "He has played very well and it is a matter of us working through what he wants to do with his future, how we can help him achieve that and where he fits in our group.
"I'm sure that we can do something that we are all happy with. We are talking with him about a two-year extension ... We didn't talk about it too much during the season, we just wanted to let Mika play, but now we'll look to push it along fairly quickly."
Bench player Paora Winitana is the only other non-import not yet contracted for next season.
The club is also assessing its import options, with all four Americans making a strong impression this season. Mid-season injury casualties Rick Rickert and Wayne Turner have both indicated a desire to return but Clarke said the strong form of replacements Derrick Alston and Orien Greene had clouded the situation.
"We have the luxury of having four very good guys who have performed very well," he said.
"We are not going to rush into it."
The situation may resolve itself, with Alston considering coaching and scouting roles in the NBA, while Greene's NBA pedigree means he is sure to attract plenty of interest elsewhere.
An accurate assessment of Rickert and Turner's injuries would be undertaken, Clarke said.
One player who definitely won't be back is Tall Black Brent Charleton, who is returning to his native Canada after seeing out the NZNBL season with Otago. Charleton, who received limited gametime this season, probably won't be replaced, with the club leaning towards a 10-man roster instead of the 11 it carried this season.
The impressive form of development player Ryan Kersten would influence that decision, Clarke said.
The Breakers season may have ended with a disappointing loss to Brisbane on Saturday but Clarke said making the playoffs for the first time made meant it had been a successful campaign.
"In all of the sports where New Zealand teams play in the Australian leagues, it as a real battle to make it [to the playoffs]. It is seen as a bit of a benchmark so it was very important for us to get there."
