Could Another Australian Star Join United?

With the signing of Luke Travers from the Perth Wildcats, Melbourne United already have one of the most high-profile and talented local cores in the history of the NBL, but ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc believes the side is far from done.

Travers will join Jo Lual-Acuil Jr at United next season, along with Chris Goulding and Shea Ili. The next player on Dean Vickerman’s hit list? That looks like Matthew Dellavedova.

Dellavedova appeared for United in NBL22 with the goal of launching himself back into the NBA. An All-NBL Second Team calibre season earned him a contract with the Sacramento Kings.

Melbourne, though, are keen on bringing him back for a second stint with the club.

“The open secret around the Melbourne basketball area is Plan A for Melbourne United is Matthew Dellavedova,” Uluc said on The Marketplace. “There is still a ton of water to go under the bridge with potentially getting Dellavedova signed at United again.

“The first one is he’s still in the midst of a playoff series with the Sacramento Kings, and he has a fractured finger.

“That’s plan a for Melbourne United and if that does happen, from what I understand, they would be the first team in NBL history to not have an import and to marquee four players.

“If that doesn’t pan out, they still have that spot to go and get a really high-level import point guard with the local talent they have.”

After entering NBL Free Agency with just two fully-rostered players committed – Goulding and Ili – United has been busy filling out their lineup.

Alongside the star signings of Travers and Lual-Acuil Jr, Bullets livewire Tanner Krebs and young gun guard Flynn Cameron have joined the side, while Sandringham Sabres captain Campbell Blogg has signed on as a development player, alongside Zac Triplett.

NBL Next Star Ariel Hukporti has also extended his stay at the club and has signed a one-year extension, after missing all of NBL23 with a ruptured Achilles.

David Okwera, Makuach Maluach and Mason Peatling have all found new clubs within the NBL, while Joshua Duach had his contract terminated.