Adelaide 36ers coach Joey Wright says underperforming forward Majok Deng is down on confidence and needs to pick up his energy levels if he is to play more meaningful minutes this season.
One of the Sixers' best players in last season's grand final series against Melbourne United and regarded as a possible future NBA player, Deng's scoring and shooting numbers are down in 2018-19.
In Friday night's 15-point win against the Cairns Taipans, Deng was held scoreless, missed all three shots and committed two fouls in seven lethargic minutes.
The stunning emergence of rookie big man Harry Froling and the presence of import forwards Jacob Wiley and Demetrius Conger means Deng needs to find different ways to stand out.
"Majok is going to have to pick up his energy levels," Wright said.
"I thought his energy levels were low when he went into the game which affects his offence.
"He's playing behind some real talent - Harry's stepping up and doing some things that not a lot of bigs are doing in the league.
"Jacob's out there, DJ (Daniel Johnson), even Meech (Conger) can play that position.
"Step up, find something that they don't do.
"He is (a confidence player), he doesn't believe in himself like we believe in him."
Deng has been linked to expansion franchise South East Melbourne Phoenix in 2018-19.
Wright accepts he could potentially lose the likes of Deng and Nathan Sobey, who will be free agents at the end of this season.
"I honestly don't ready any articles or look at social media but every free agent on the market will be linked to Phoenix," Wright said.
"If they can get the kind of money that (has been suggested) they will be throwing around, then fine."