Melo not coming back to Cairns

The Cairns Taipans have failed in their attempt to re-sign import point guard Melo Trimble.

Melo Trimble of Cairns (right) under pressure from Casper Ware of Melbourne during the Round 18 NBL match between Melbourne United and the Cairns Taipans at Melbourne Arena in Melbourne, Thursday, February 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Hamish Blair) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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The Cairns Taipans have failed in their attempt to re-sign import point guard Melo Trimble.

The American claimed the club’s MVP trophy in his only season in the Far North.

The Taipans have been actively pursuing Trimble since the beginning of the year, but the club said on Friday afternoon they were unable to match or come close to the offer made by another NBL team.

Melo Trimble of the Taipans drives to the basket during the Round 18 NBL match between the Sydney Kings and the Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Saturday, February 16, 2019. (AAP Image/Steve Christo)

Trimble, who claimed the 2019 Taipans MVP and Members Choice MVP, has been linked to Melbourne United in recent weeks.

“The club would like to assure the Orange Army that the Taipans administration and coach Mike Kelly are aggressively scouting players throughout the off-season and will endeavour to find a player of equal or better calibre, that is as determined as we are to represent the Far North, with passion and loyalty,” the club said in a statement.

“The Taipans would like to thank Melo Trimble for his time with the club and wish him all the best in the future.”

The Snakes have only Majok Deng and Jarrod Kenny under contract for the 2019-20 season.

Originally published as Melo not coming back to Cairns