EASL officials declined to comment at the time, but sources with knowledge of the development told the Post that news surrounding the Kings’ possible involvement began to circulate about 10 days ago.

“The New Taipei Kings are focused on building a tradition of excellence and part of that is playing in the toughest competition available to us,” Phil Chen, the team’s owner, said. “We’re very excited to join EASL in the upcoming season to face off against the top professional teams from around the region.”

The Dragons spent one season in the EASL, reaching the finals of the Commissioner’s Cup in the Philippines and coming third at the league’s Champions Week, but there had been growing disquiet in the game about the EASL running the league and owning a team.

With financial considerations also playing a part, the league said it had taken a decision to “to increase its focus on its core competency, which is running a league and maximizing its use of resources to make the league as dynamic and as electrifying as possible, as well as commercially successful”.

The Kings, who finished top in the regular P League+ season, lost 4-2 to two-time defending champions and eventual winners Taipei Fubon Braves in the play-offs.

Star guard Joseph Lin, brother of NBA sensation Jeremy, had joined the Kings at the start of the season. Jeremy Lin has previously expressed a desire that the siblings play together and is a free agent after leaving Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers during the off-season.