Cairns’ star Melo Trimble signs on as Melbourne’s Casper Ware replacement

Replacing championship point guard Casper Ware is no easy task — but Melbourne United think they’ve found their man in livewire Cairns fan favourite Romelo 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

• Bogut’s enormous call on NBL future
• Cairns resigned to losing Melo

Replacing championship point guard Casper Ware could be almost impossible but Melbourne United has scored the next best thing in Romelo Trimble.

After fan favourite and club MVP Ware departed United for archrival Sydney Kings earlier this month, Melbourne dashed Cairns Taipans’ hopes of keeping the Washington-born import, with a one-year deal he couldn’t refuse.

Casper Ware (left) shapes as a hard man to replace — but Melbourne think they have their man in Melo Trimble (right). Picture: AAP

Trimble’s arrival at Melbourne Arena gives United a proven scorer who led the NBL with 22.5 per game last season and, while he is not yet the facilitator or dominant defender Ware is, under the tutelage of coach Dean Vickerman the 24-year-old is expected to take a big leap.

The University of Maryland product will join Boomer Mitch McCarron and sharpshooter Chris Goulding in the back court, with United yet to unveil plans for the other two import spots, filled by Josh Boone and DJ Kennedy last season.

McCarron simply posted the eyes emoji on Twitter when the Trimble signing was announced, indicating he’s excited to pair up with the slashing 6’3” point guard who can light it up from the outside — he poured in 42 points against United in January.

Melo Trimble drives to the basket for the Taipans. Picture: AAP

Boone has recently expressed on Instagram he would love continue at United, but it is understood the Melbourne club has interest in beastly New Zealand import Shawn Long, while 2017-18 title-winner Casey Prather has also been linked to a return.

Craig Moller has already joined Ware in Sydney, but the club is expected to reach terms with both David Barlow and Alex Pledger in coming weeks.