NBL: Melbourne United signs NBA championship winner Matthew Dellavedova

NBA championship winner and Boomers veteran Matthew Dellavedova is returning to Australia in a big win for the NBL, Shane Heal says.

Boomers legend Shane Heal believes Matthew Dellavedova’s signing with Melbourne United will pave the way for more Australian NBA stars to return home.

Dellavedova has signed a multi-year deal with United following an eight-year NBA career, including a championship with Cleveland alongside LeBron James in 2016.

It’s the NBL’s biggest signing coup since Andrew Bogut joined the Sydney Kings in 2018 following his illustrious NBA career.

Heal has no doubts that other Australian NBA players like Patty Mills, Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes will follow Dellavedova’s footsteps and also join the NBL.

“Bogues definitely set the tone when he came back, which was really a shot in the arm for the NBL and the Australian public,” Heal said.

“I’ve got no doubt that Patty and Joey (Ingles) will do it when the time is right as well.

“It is unfortunate that we see them at the very end of their career, but I think that is better than nothing based on their profile, experience and what they add to teams.

“It is fantastic for the league that we’ve got one of our greatest players over the last 10 years in Delly that has this NBA experience now joining the NBL.”

Heal can’t wait to see how United use 30-year-old Dellavedova in a team that also includes veterans Chris Goulding (32), David Barlow (37), and latest signing Brad Newley (36).

Boomers veteran Matthew Dellavedova is set to return to Australia to play for Melbourne United. Picture: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images.

“It is interesting for United going with so many older players,” he said.

“When you add Delly with Newley, Barlow and Goulding, then it becomes an interesting strategy.

“So, what players do they put around these guys will be intriguing.”

United confirmed Dellavedova’s signature on a three-year deal on Friday afternoon, although the club has agreed to allow the veteran guard to access his NBA prospects during the upcoming free agency period before joining the franchise.

“I want to thank the club for being flexible and giving me the opportunity to explore NBA opportunities in free agency.” Dellavedova said.

“Melbourne is close to family and my hometown of Maryborough, and I have always wanted to come back here and play at some point.

“I‘m glad to make the announcement today that when that time comes, I’ll be pulling on a United jersey.

“The NBL is a quality league that continues to evolve and has a lot of respect around the world - I‘m excited for the challenge and continuing to help grow the game of basketball in Australia.

“I am really excited to sign with Melbourne United and come back to the NBL.

“It‘s a great team with a winning culture and some great teammates that I’ve loved playing with in the past for the Boomers.

“For now, there is one focus - the Boomers and winning a gold medal.”

United coach Dean Vickerman is thrilled to sign Dellavedova – a respected figure who has amassed almost 450 NBA games at the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks.

“It is huge – for our sport, for this league and for our club,” Vickerman said.

“To have Delly back home in Victoria, playing in front of the Melbourne United fans – I think it is something that we should all be really excited about.

“He’s going to bring everything that we are looking for in that position.

“Elite-level competitiveness, hustle, grit, grind and passion. He is also an excellent facilitator, with his ability to pass the basketball he will make everyone else around him even better.”

Dellavedova’s signing is one of the biggest in NBL history. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger labelled Dellavedova’s United deal as “one of the biggest signings in NBL history”.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Matthew Dellavedova to the league,” Loeliger said.

“Delly is one of the greats of our game and is also one of the most well respected and liked figures in the Australian basketball community. Still an NBA level talent, the fact he wants to return home and continue his career here is a massive endorsement of the NBL and our standing as one of the world’s best leagues outside of the NBA.

“Delly follows the footsteps of other Australian NBA players who have returned home to the NBL to continue their careers. The NBL is now not only a pathway to the NBA but also a pathway home for Australia’s greats such as Delly and Andrew Bogut, who are laying the foundations for more Australian NBA players to have NBL homecomings.

“We can’t wait to see John Cain Arena and other stadiums across the country sold out to watch Delly play with Melbourne United this forthcoming season.”

Dellavedova, who is in Boomers camp in preparation for his third Olympics in Tokyo, also received interest from the NBL’s newest team, the Tasmania JackJumpers.

However, it’s understood the JackJumpers didn’t have the budget to land the star guard’s signature.

Dellavedova was born and raised in the Victorian country town of Maryborough and, has always harboured a desire to return home to play professional basketball.

It’s understood the United deal is worth approximately $700,000.

Melbourne has extra money available following the departures of Mitch McCarron to Adelaide and Jock Landale to potentially the NBA.

Dellavedova will replace McCarron as United’s starting point guard and will join fellow Boomer Goulding at the NBL champions.

Dellavedova is also back to full fitness following a series of injury struggles in the NBA in the past two seasons.

He spent a large chunk of the 2020-21 season on the sidelines with concussion, but he has recovered as he looks to help the Boomers win a maiden Olympic medal in Tokyo.

Originally published as NBL: Melbourne United signs NBA championship winner Matthew Dellavedova