NBL boss Larry Kestelman reveals only one Australian team is set to play an NBA pre-season game in 2018

ON the back of the success of this year’s maiden NBA versus NBL matches the concept looks set to continue in 2018 - but with a twist.

Owner of the NBL, Larry Kestelman addresses the media at the NBL and WNBL 2017-18 seasons joint launch held at the Crown Towers rooftop in Melbourne, on Monday, September 11, 2017. The NBL and WNBL Seasons will begin on October 5 and the 2017-18 Season will mark the 40th season of the NBL. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING

NBL boss Larry Kestelman has revealed only one Australian team looks set to partake in an NBA pre-season game in 2018.

On the back of the success of this year’s maiden NBA versus NBL matches involving Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Kestelman is determined to continue the concept.

However, with a reduced NBA pre-season expected in 2018 the NBL may have to settle for one game.

“There are no games currently secured, but I’m still very confident,” Kestelman said.

“Getting pre-season games is very difficult, but it is something we are working on with the NBA because I’d like to keep the tradition going.

Majok Majok #22 of Melbourne United and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for the ball during a NBA preseason game on October 8, 2017.

“We will try and get more than one game, but it’s still a work in progress.

“Our goal is to turn it into an annual event, where at least one NBL team is part of the NBA pre-season. I think it is important, not only from a publicity point of view, but to keep checking where we are at as a league and where our quality lies.

“We performed so well last time and surprised so many people, so we’d like to make sure it continues.”

Kestelman said he was yet to select an NBL team to play an NBA pre-season game in 2018.

Back-to-back champions Perth, for example, could be a leading candidate given their proven form.

NBL boss Larry Kestelman.

The Wildcats were originally selected to partake in this year’s maiden NBL versus NBA pre-season games, but declined the invitation to focus on defending their domestic crown.

It remains to be seen whether Perth change their mind if they are invited to play in an NBA pre-season game in 2018.

Kestelman said the NBL’s final choice of a team will come down to performance and the biggest market.

“In all honesty the NBA wants to see the bigger cities coming and I think that is a fair comment,” he said.

“But at the same time they want to see the teams that are performing at the top of their game to ensure the games are high quality like they were last time.

“I think we would also have to assess it depending on the timing as to who goes.”