Former NBA scoring machine Josh Childress has signed a one-year deal with the Sydney Kings and will play a major role in filling the hole left by fellow American Sam Young.

Childress, 31, was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with the sixth pick of the 2004 NBA draft. He went on to play 391 games for four clubs during his US career.

New challenge: Josh Childress will join the Sydney Kings. Credit:Getty Images

Although the Kings won't be paying Childress anywhere near as much as what he was on at the Phoenix Suns in 2012, he stands to make $US7 million ($7.55 million) this season from Phoenix, who used an amnesty clause to wipe him from the books in 2012.

Childress received $US13.5 million two years into his five-year, $US33.5 million contract from the Suns before the club decided to remove him from their salary cap negotiations.