But it is the high-profile recruitment of Langman that has observers talking up the Mystics' chances of going from disastrous to divine.
The newly married Langman, who cut her honeymoon short by a day to ensure she maximised her preparation time with the Mystics ahead of Sunday's opening round match against the Vixens, won't entertain any talk that she is the potential saviour of the team. She says her Mystics teammates have just as much to offer her as she has to offer them.
"One of my big reasons for coming up here is getting my combination with [Silver Ferns] Cat [Latu] and Maria [Tutaia] humming. It does help that we play Silver Ferns together so we all roughly talk the same language," she said.
"What I've really quite liked too is getting a sneak peek with how the Australians work. Obviously I've worked with Peta Scholz, but Julie Corletto is just another level.
"Everything she does on and off the court is so professional and I just think she is a fantastic example for our young group and for people like myself."
The young players in the Mystics will do well to take note of Langman's approach also.
Widely regarded as one of the world's best players, the superfit midcourter's application on and off the court saw her reach the incredible feat of notching up her 100th consecutive test in the Ferns' January tour to the UK.
The achievement is testament to both Langman's consistent form across her career and her strong focus on preparation and recovery, which has allowed her to stay injury free.
The archives will also show Langman has barely missed a quarter in six seasons of ANZ Championship, and it is difficult to think of another player who could rival the midcourt dynamo for most minutes played in the league. After 11 seasons of top-level netball Langman says the strapping tape is applied a little more liberally these days to get her through games, but she still backs herself to play full games week-in, week-out.
"I dunno, I always put injuries down to dumb luck. But there comes a time in your career where you've just got to manage yourself.
"Touch wood, I'm feeling fit and everything is working," she says bending down to touch the hardwood court surface at their Trusts Stadium training venue.
Just as the 27-year-old makes the most out of her minutes on court, she has a demanding schedule off the court as well as she squeezes in her work with accountancy firm Deloitte in Hamilton and ongoing study to become a fully-fledged chartered accountant.
"It's not part time, I call it 'some-time'," Langman jokes of her work.
"I'm really lucky with Deloitte, they just let me go in when I can, so I aim for 17-18 hours a week.
"My boss has been so understanding - can you make sure you get that in?
"Originally, when I made the decision to join the Mystics, I went into work to resign as I wasn't sure how it could work, but my boss said 'no - stay here and just work when you can'."
Given the demands of combining her career with professional netball, there must surely be times on the lonely commute up State Highway 1 that she wonders why she chose to make life even tougher signing up with the Mystics, but Langman says she is completely comfortable with her decision.
"It's been the challenge that I wanted it to be, or expected it to be," she says.
"It was an opportunity I saw that probably wasn't going to be offered to me again. It was now or never."
New kids on the court
Temalisi Fakahokotau (Mystics)
A training partner for the Mystics last year, Temalisi Fakahokotau has been elevated into the main squad in 2014 after winning the admiration of coach Debbie Fuller for her work ethic and dedication. Strong in the air and a great reader of the game, the 19-year-old could feature early on in the season with the Mystics managing several injuries in their defensive end.
Samantha Sinclair (Magic)
Rotorua teenager Samantha Sinclair was one of the first players signed to the Magic after catching the eye of new coach Julie Fitzgerald at last year's under-23 championships. With a maturity to her game that belies her youth, Sinclair is said to have flourished in the franchise environment and considered a genuine midcourt option for the Magic.
Nicola Mackle (Tactix)
At 1.69m, Mackle is one of the shortest players in the transtasman league, but makes up for her lack of height with her speed and fitness. A centre-wing attack option, the Timaru farmgirl is described as an honest hard grafter in the mould of Laura Langman, rather than a player known for creativity and flair.
