But the problems at the Mystics run deeply. Hoping Langman would be the magic bullet was always fanciful, and so it has proved.
The team have been better than last year but this campaign can still be judged a failure, as they were out of play-off contention with almost half a season to go. They haven't beaten any of the top five teams and endured thrashings at the hands of the Vixens (24 goals), Magic (14 goals) and Steel (12 goals), the latter two at home.
How could a squad with so many top-line Silver Ferns, plus Julie Corletto and several promising youngsters deliver so little? They have arguably the best centre and goal-attack in the world, two world-class defenders and a pair of top-line shooters. But they aren't a team.
It's hard to know how to rebuild this franchise. There are several strong personalities within the team but they obviously haven't gelled. The decision to bring Temepara George back for two games was strange and looked like a panic move.
Despite all the pre-season talk, it's clear training standards haven't improved. Culture, discipline, desire — call it what you want — has all been lacking.
Coach Debbie Fuller, who was so successful in 2011 and 2012, has struggled to come up with strategies and tactics to get the best out of her squad.
Pressure must also be building on chief executive Julie Paterson, as several poor decisions have been made under her watch. Ruth Aitken was an ill-judged choice as coach last year, as was the decision not to find a direct replacement for George. Grace Rasmussen has been missed while some of the under-performers from last season have shown little evidence of raising their game.
The only saviour for the Mystics, who host the West Coast Fever tomorrow night, could be the lack of realistic options for Langman. Though the Magic would be an obvious destination, it will be a difficult conundrum for the Waikato BOP franchise.
They will want to keep faith with the squad that have performed so well this year and also may struggle to find room in their salary cap for Langman.
The Pulse's mid-court options are well covered and Langman may be reluctant to relocate to the South Island, especially in a world championship year.
