After much, much back and forth between LaMelo Ball, the Illawarra Hawks and the NBL, it appears Ball is finally closing in on the purchase of the franchise. The Illawarra Mercury reported on Monday that a deal between the NBL and Ball is “imminent.”

This news flies directly in contrast of the most recent report stating that the NBL was moving on Ball and his consortium. The tale of the sale of the franchise has been a long, winding one, starting with a surprising link between Ball and the club that appeared to immediately lead to the purchase.

Just as quickly, the league came out and pushed back against the report of the sale being final and thus began a long process of the NBL taking over control of the team while seeking a full report on the state of the finances of the club.

Now, though, appears to be the real deal as the sides have circled one another for weeks before  closing in on this deal.