Revealed: Patty Mills and the NBA free agents on the NBL’s radar, a second Sydney team on the cards
Could Patty Mills be lured home? A smart NBL marketing video has sparked speculation as an NBA wishlist emerges. Plus, another Sydney team is on the league’s radar. More in CROSSCOURT.
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A Patty Mills marketing deal with the NBL has sparked speculation the veteran guard could be lured home as a wishlist of America’s best NBA free agents has emerged.
Mills recently signed on to voice the NBL’s Playoffs advertising campaign, prompting clubs to consider whether he could follow the likes of Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova and finish his career on home soil.
The veteran guard has bounced between NBA clubs for the past two seasons in a bench role and is currently with the LA Clippers.
And while some believe a return to Australia is unlikely – the reality is the 36-year-old is in the back end of his stellar career and there could be appeal to finish with an NBL stint.
Mills – who will be a free agent ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season – is extremely popular in Australia as one of the Boomers’ best ever players and would be a significant coup for any NBL team.
The likes of Perth, who could lose champion guard Bryce Cotton to a lucrative overseas deal at season’s end, would be a perfect landing spot for Mills.
It comes as some of the best NBA free agents have caught the eye of NBL clubs looking to replicate Montrezl Harrell’s success in Adelaide this season.
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Crosscourt has obtained a list of names that have featured on clubs’ import wishlists – recently and ahead of NBL26.
Former NBA players John Wall, Derrick Rose and Isaiah Thomas have already expressed interest in playing in the NBL and will be monitored.
Crosscourt can also reveal San Antonio Spurs great and seven-time NBA All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge was set to join Cairns for NBL24, but the deal fell over at the final hurdle following the birth of his child.
The NBL’s interest in fringe or free agent NBA players has reached another level following Harrell’s must-watch maiden season with the 36ers.
The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year literally fell into the NBL’s lap when Adelaide needed an injury replacement for Jarell Martin.
In a perfect storm, the 36ers parted ways with coach Scott Ninnis and signed coach Mike Wells who had NBA connections.
Wells and other Adelaide officials flew to America to watch Harrell work out before securing his signature, initially as a short-term injury replacement, which was eventually extended to a one-year deal.
The former Los Angeles Clipper signed with Chinese club the Zhejiang Golden Bulls for the off-season, but has indicated a desire to return to the 36ers.
It has been floated that the NBL could have a program similar to the Next Stars called the ‘Ex-Stars’, designed to attract the best former NBA players without contracts or playing overseas.
NBL teams’ NBA free agent wish list:Patty Mills, Isaiah Thomas, John Wall, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Kevin Knox, Elfrid Payton (played for Cairns in NBA x NBL last year), Trey Burke, LaMarcus Aldridge, TJ Warren, Christian Wood, Nerlens Noel. Hassan Whiteside, Victor Oladipo, Malachi Flynn, Joe Harris, Andre Roberson and Skal Labissiere.
SECOND SYDNEY TEAM RAMPS UP
A second Sydney team has emerged as the frontrunner for NBL expansion, with the prospect of a Next Stars side in the Harbour City also floated.
Crosscourt understands Sydney is now ahead of rival contenders the Gold Coast and Darwin in the expansion pecking order.
The location for a second team is yet to be finalised, but there is the prospect of renovating the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour to suit basketball.
There is also talk of a potential new boutique stadium being built at the Moore Park sporting precinct alongside the SCG and Allianz Stadium.
A second Sydney team can’t be introduced until 2026 under a lockout rule implemented under previous Kings management.
It can be revealed the NBL is weighing up using the second Sydney team as a hub for players in its Next Stars program – a proven pathway to the NBA.
The prospect of a Next Stars team in the NBL has been previously flagged, but it’s understood any side would feature multiple Next Star players alongside experienced campaigners and imports.
This would allow the specifically designated young guns to play more minutes and avoid a situation like former Next Star AJ Johnson experienced at Illawarra last season.
Johnson spent a significant time on the bench at the Hawks, sparking frustration from his management as he looked to climb up the NBA draft rankings.
CLUBS BACK LONGER NBL SEASON
The NBL season could extend by two games, opening the door for clubs to take fixtures to regional areas.
Crosscourt can reveal league officials have tabled the prospect of a longer season to clubs and it has been largely met as a positive.
It’s understood clubs have been asked to identify locations where could play their extra games, with regional fixtures a popular option.
South East Melbourne Phoenix already plays games in regional Victoria.
The likes of Sydney, Brisbane and Illawarra could also follow suit and play games in regional areas throughout NBL26.
Bullets CEO Mal Watts confirmed his franchise supports a longer season and has plans to play games on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
“I think more content is a great thing – it leads to more revenue and there is a commercial side that is really positive for the league,” Watts said.
DJ’S BRAVE BID TO DEFY ILLNESS
Dejan Vasiljevic copped criticism for his performance in Adelaide’s season-ending loss to the Phoenix last Sunday, but he did well to even take the court.
Vasiljevic battled a serious bout of gastro the day before the game, prompting him to vomit all night.
The sharpshooter picked himself up to play in the 36ers’ must-win clash against South East Melbourne, but struggled compared to his usual standards.
Vasiljevic dropped just three points in his 29 minutes on the floor, as the Sixers blew a 19-point halftime lead to bow out for the season.
The championship-winning guard was also called out by his own teammate – marquee man Montrezl Harrell – for his defence during the loss.
Harrell’s criticism could be heard on the broadcast, but it’s understood the extent of Vasiljevic’s gastro was unknown to teammates.
BOOMERS, THEN FINALS FOR UNIQUE WILDCAT
Perth Wildcats rookie Elijah Pepper is one of just two NBL players who have been released by their club for Boomers duties, despite the current finals campaign.
Pepper and Wildcats teammate David Okwera will wear the green and gold in a pair of FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers this week, ahead of a semi-final date with Melbourne United.
In a little twist, Jacob Chance – a Melbourne United assistant – is head coach of the NBL-led Boomers during this FIBA window.
So Pepper will play under Chance against Indonesia and Thailand, then turn his attention to taking the national team coach’s NBL squad down in the best-of-three series.
Wildcats assistant Keegan Crawford is on hand to support Chance, but will also ensure Pepper does what’s needed to be ready for next Thursday’s NBL tip-off.
“Myself and David, we talked to JR (Wildcats coach John Rillie) and he thinks it’s a good opportunity,” Pepper said.
“Everything we do back there, Keegan knows. He’s able to update the coaches back home and let them know what’s going on.
“We don’t play until Thursday next week, we get back to Perth Monday, so it allows us to be able to play in these games and then get back and worry about Melbourne United.”
The Australian-American dual citizen was born in the country Victorian town of Shepparton, from where mum Danni hails, but raised in Washington State, dad Ryan’s home.
He’s bursting with excitement to wear the green and gold, even if his journey has been a unique one.
“It is a little weird because I’ve got the American accent and there’s a couple of basketball plays or terms they call or use and I’m like ‘dude, you’ve got to draw it up, I have no clue what you’re talking about’,” Pepper laughed.
“It is a little awkward, sometimes, just because, culturally, I’m a little different than the regular Australian, but it’s still so special.”
*Boomers v Indonesia, Thursday, Feb 20, 7.25pm AEDT, Traralgon, Vic
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