Sydney Kings Owner and Wollongong local Paul Smith has brushed off the suggestion of buying the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Smith, who is a lifelong Dragons fan has claimed the club has no clarity on its future or on a long-term plan.
While he wants the “best for the club”, Smith won’t entertain a takeover bid.
“That’s a mess, that’s a train wreck and a dumpster fire all rolled into one, I love that the notion of the club and what it represents, I only want the best for them,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Afternoons.
“They’ve got to form a long-term plan and articulate that, I don’t give advice normally but if you asked me I’d share that, what lacks there is a clarity about a future and vision.
“You’ve got to eliminate that short-term planning and you’re seeing a bit of that with the Wests Tigers, they’ve got a five-year plan with their coaching, it may be wrong but at least they’ve got a plan.
“I think that’s what these clubs in the doldrum need to do, they need to step back and do a bit of the old 76ers process, they’re gonna (use ‘going to’ even if he said ‘gonna’) have to go through some pain to get where they want to be.”
Smith has previously expressed interest in owning the Dragons and famously had an $11.5 million dollar bid turned down for a 50 per cent stake in the club.
After being questioned by Jimmy Smith if he had any interest in reviving his interest to buy the club, Smith claimed he dodged a bullet.
“I think I’ve dogged three bullets there, that’s the full chamber and that’s a problem… I’m always open to conversations but we’ve got a lot on our hands right with the Kings and Sydney Flames,” he said.
Smith’s focus will remain with the Kings and Flames as the men’s NBL side look to win back-to-back championships next season.