The Herald Sun newspaper has reported that the South Dragons are set to sign NBA superstar Dennis Rodman for a one-game pre-season cameo appearance.

The Herald Sun’s Grantley Bernard writes that “the Dragons is believed to have offered Rodman - known for his tattoos, piercings, dyed hair and erratic behaviour as much as his basketball achievements - about $80,000 for the one-off game.”

Rodman, 46, has been retired from the NBA for a number of years but has made a number of short-term contract appearances with basketball teams around the globe. The Dragons are reportedly looking at bringing him in for a pre-season game on September 14 or 16 against Sydney Kings, to fill Melbourne's Vodafone Arena.

Dragons majority owner Mark Cowan said he thought the signing of Rodman would be a coup for basketball in the lead-up to the September 19 tip-off.

"We just reckon it's a great idea and a good chance to ramp up the publicity for the season," Cowan said.

"We reckon it's a good chance that it will happen and we'll have Dennis playing for us."

The Dragons are expected to know by Friday night whether Rodman, who played in three NBA championships with Chicago Bulls and two with Detroit Pistons, will make the trip to Australia for his one-show-only tour.