(Daniel Eade is a basketball fan, freelance journalist and BPL contributor.)

The Melbourne Tigers are on the verge of adding American imports Ron Dorsey and Ayinde Ubaka to their roster for the 2011/12 season, with negotiations almost complete and an announcement expected next week.

Both Dorsey and Ubaka played last season with NBL grand finalists, the Cairns Taipans.

Dorsey, a 6'6 small forward, and Ubaka, a 6'3" point-guard, have agreed to two-year deals with the Tigers. Dorsey has already signed on the dotted line and sent the contract back to the Tigers, who are now awaiting NBL approval of the contract.

The Tigers still have room for one more player, after their courting of Peter Crawford was unsuccessful. Crawford recently re-signed with the Townsville Crocodiles.

The Tigers are hopeful that Lucas Walker will re-sign with the team and fill out the roster.

Last season, Dorsey averaged 13.3ppg and 4.6rpg, while shooting at a 40% clip from outside the extended arc in 27 games.

After debuting with the Gold Coast Blaze in 2009/10, before joining the Taipans last season, Ubaka averaged 14.2ppg and 4.1rpg in 28 games during the 2010/11 season.

The import duo join Daniel Dillon, another former Taipan who signed with the Tigers earlier in the week, at the Cage. That means three members of the Cairns grand final team will probably be turning out in Tigers colours next season.

If the Tigers are successful in adding Dorsey, Ubaka and Walker, it will fill their roster up with only Cameron Tragardh and Matt Burston recognized as an inside presence for the team, with a very deep list of outside players.