South East Melbourne coach Mike Kelly has described cutting Will Cummings as a heart-wrenching decision, but one effectively brought on by the import due to the way he behaved.
The Phoenix released American guard Cummings on Friday after he failed to meet the club's off-court requirements by missing recovery and community engagement sessions.
He had averaged 14.5 points and 2.7 assists a game - solid, but not emphatic, numbers.
Kelly addressed the matter for the first time after the Phoenix closed out round 10 with a 104-94 defeat of the Sydney Kings in their first game without Cummings
"(Cummings) basically made the call, whether he knew it or not, when he didn't buy in and do the things that we say we're going to do as a group," Kelly said.
"So even though we made the decision as a club and I made the decision as a coach to do what we can stand for, I guess, and how we operate as a club, it really was Will making that decision.
"In the end, as hard as it was, as heart-wrenching as it was to let a good player and a good person go, it wasn't difficult at all."
The Phoenix are in the market for a recruit who ideally has common traits with Cummings and local forward Craig Moller, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in round nine.
Third-placed South East Melbourne want their new man signed and on the floor as soon as possible.
"Tomorrow would be perfect but it may not be by tomorrow," Kelly said.
"Will gave us great scoring and handles and Craig gave us defence, rebounding, the ability to shoot the three.
"If we can cover both those bases somewhat, but also I think we're going to do that somewhat from within."
Kelly was buoyed by the performances of his second unit in the win over the Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.
Former Perth forward Rhys Vague was particularly strong, hitting four three-pointers from six attempts, while Owen Foxwell and Kody Stattmann looked comfortable playing bigger minutes than usual.
"The guys that have bought in and want to be here are here, and they showed that tonight but we'll still do it (the recruitment process) as quickly and smartly as we can," Kelly said.
