Melbourne United have officially re-signed Dave Barlow, while NBA import Shawn Long looks poised to join the club.
Last season's NBL runners-up formally announced the 35-year old power forward was back for the 2019-2020 season after a stellar campaign when promoted to the starting role.
Long posted a tweet on Sunday stating he has signed with Melbourne for next season, but the club has not yet formally announced the move, meaning his contract must still be in the process of being approved by the league.
If Long does join Melbourne as expected, it will give the team two of last season's best imports, although it also means title-winning centre Josh Boone won't be returning despite three seasons of excellent service.
Boone sent a farewell tweet to United fans thanking club staff and coach Dean Vickerman for their work, but also adding he was disappointed no one from Melbourne made any contact with him during free agency.
Both Boone and Long have NBA pedigrees, but Long's added athleticism made an impression on Melbourne this past season as he was among the NBL leaders in dunks and blocks while showing signs he could make more of an impact offensively.
Barlow was a two-time Olympian earlier in his career and after battling Achilles issues for several seasons he re-emerged in Melbourne's championship in 2017-2018 as a key player off the bench.
After Tai Wesley departed last season, Barlow stepped into the starting role and had his best season in years, giving Melbourne defence and outside shooting from the power forward role while also leading from the front and earning a recall to the NBL Boomers for some of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Melbourne is expected to confirm Long's signing in the coming days as long as officials don't find any issues with the contract and paperwork.
So far Melbourne has filled two of their three import spots, with point guard Melo Trimble joining Long on the roster along with Chris Goulding, Mitch McCarron, Sam McDaniel and Barlow. It's understood centre Alex Pledger is also likely to return next season.
The signings of Trimble and Long, once formal, should make up lost ground for Melbourne after star point guard Casper Ware was lured to Sydney to join Andrew Bogut and the Kings for next season.
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