For the first time in the history of the National Basketball League, each of the competition's nine teams will have at least one ex-NBA player, with a record high of 15 suiting up this season.

Home-grown NBA 2021 draft prospects Mojave King (Cairns Taipans) and Josh Giddey (Adelaide 36ers) have also opted to stay in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving league owner and Financial Review Rich Lister Larry Kestelman confidence a reshaped season will be the sport's best – especially with Australia being an attractive destination given the comparatively low impact of the pandemic.