"In my off-court endeavours I've developed some good relationships in the city and I'm looking at expanding those business interest across Australia and the Asian region," Childress said. "So it's a dual play for me in that regard. "I can't speak on it too much but there are opportunities here and I've met some really smart, good people and I'm looking forward to going further down that avenue." Last season Childress was still receiving money from his last NBA contract, so playing for less money in the NBL wasn't a major hit. But Childress said in staying in Sydney he took into account his whole life, not his earnings. "I just enjoyed being here. I enjoyed Sydney and it's where I wanted to be so I made a decision," Childress said. Childress was impressive but injury plagued his first NBL campaign - dominating when he was healthy but struggling in the later stages of the season.

Kings coach Damian Cotter said Childress was now fitter and stronger than heading into last season with the 203-centimetre guard-forward the first Kings' import to re-sign for a second season since the team re-entered the NBL. "We are as relieved as we are elated," Cotter said. "We wanted that continuity in our side and for me I'm rapt to have a player of that quality who always knows what we are about. "Injuries had an impact on his season last year but we have done our due diligence on it. "What people failed to remember is Josh had a lay-off from playing prior to last season and he is in much better shape now and has done all the prior rehabilitation work. "We think we are getting a better version of the Josh Childress we saw last season."

The Kings have already signed former all-NBL first team centre Julian Khazzouh and veteran point guard Steven Markovic for next season along with rookie forward Jeromie Hill who finished his US college career at University of San Antonio-Texas earlier this year. Centre Angus Brandt, guard Jason Cadee and forward Tom Garlepp have all re-signed giving the Kings their most stable core in many seasons. "I feel like we had a growth atmosphere in the team," Childress said. "We would train then have the rest of the day to do what we were passionate about - some guys were in school, some had outside jobs and other interests but having both of those available helps build well-rounded people. "There are so many variables that go into winning a championship. "We have got better as a team and that is all you can ask for, so now it's on the players to take that next step.

"We have some familiarity, some continuity and now we can make a push to be one of the top teams." Childress' return tops an excellent week of signings for the NBL with Boomers guard Chris Goulding returning to Melbourne United and star centre A.J. Ogilvy and forward Oscar Forman signing with Illawarra Hawks.