How DJ Hogg gives the Sydney Kings an NBA-level replacement following Cooks' departure

An analysis on the best import to switch teams this offseason.

Credit: May Bailey Photography

If Kevin Durant is viewed as the most malleable superstar in the NBA, then DJ Hogg has claims for that title in the current NBL.

In a Cairns Taipans uniform, Hogg split his minutes between both forward spots on defence, plus a small amount of small-ball five. On offence, he mixed his game between on and off the ball, inside and outside, and stepped up as the closer when his team required it. Hogg contributed right across the board and is the type of teammate that can fit in alongside whatever other skillsets you put around him.

It's little surprise that the Sydney Kings targeted Hogg and locked him in prior to a coaching search being completed. With the team’s major building block in Xavier Cooks moving on, and Dejan Vasiljevic at least floating the idea of Europe or the USA, the Kings have a bigger job this offseason than last.

Hogg ended up fourth in my MVP calculations last season, adding consistent value on both ends for Cairns throughout their impressive campaign. The more I watched, the surer I became that he’s an NBA-level player with a skillset that can find a role. Until that right situation and timing eventuates though, the Kings are lucky to have him in a spot where he will be asked to dig deep into his bag and flash the entire skillset.