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Donald Sloan arrived in Australia with a glittering 218-game NBA resume but hasn't yet come close to producing the goods for the Adelaide 36ers.

Adelaide 36ers coach Conner Henry wants more production out of underwhelming import Donald Sloan but isn't yet ready to place the American's head on the chopping block.

In Wednesday's 89-83 loss to South East Melbourne Phoenix, Sloan was held to 10 points, while being torched at the other end by rival US playmaker Keifer Sykes (24 points, seven assists).

Sloan, who played 218 NBA games in five seasons and once scored 31 against five-time All Star John Wall, has totalled just 20 points in the Sixers' three games this season.

Fellow American recruit Tony Crocker (29 points at 9.7) is faring marginally better but Henry, understandably, wants more.

"It's clear that we've got to get our imports producing more on both ends," he said.

"I really liked Tony's energy on the defensive end; I know Tony can make shots and shoot the basketball.

"We've got to get Donald on track and figure that out. I think we will.

"We're still not getting a high level of production out of him as a typical import but I'm not particularly worried about that because the system is designed around everybody sharing the basketball.

"We're not getting any transition points, any open looks, so we need to increase our pace."

The anticipated return of Josh Giddey after his concussion will help Adelaide's bid to play at a faster clip after the team often looked staid against Phoenix.

"We missed the young guy," Henry said. "He pushes the ball when he gets it, all the time.

"It will be good to have him back on Friday (against New Zealand Breakers) and see if that helps."