NBLxNBA Free Agency: Big Moves Reported

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Plenty of former NBL talent on the move during the NBA's free agency period.

The NBA off-season has reached its next stage following the NBA drafts. Teams have added some of the world’s most exciting young players to their rosters – including former NBL Next Stars Rayan Rupert and Mojave King – and are now looking to fill out their teams to give themselves the best chance of competing for a title.

Former stars of our competition and different powerbrokers within the current and former NBL landscape have already made monster moves within the Association.

Torrey Craig
Former NBL Best Defensive Player and All-NBL Second Team selection Torrey Craig is once again on the move following a successful individual campaign in Phoenix.

The 32-year-old is reported to have signed a two-year deal with a player option with the Chiago Bulls.

Craig began his professional career with the Cairns Taipans in 2014 before moving the the Brisbane Bullets ahead of his breakout NBL17 campaign in which he won his Best Defensive Player and All-NBL honours.

He averaged 7.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in 79 appearances (60 starts) last season for the Suns.

Jock Landale
Following a breakout season for the Phoenix Suns Jock Landale has reportedly locked away his NBA future. The former Larry Sengstock Medal winner is said to have inked a four-year deal with the Houston Rockets – reported to be worth $32 million over the course of the contract.

Landale averaged a career-best 14 minutes per game over the past season and played 76 games (six starts), including seven appearances in the playoffs.

He shot over 60 per cent from the field over the course of the season to averaged 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
- Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="art" dir="ltr">? ?? <a href="https://t.co/QbVRau4QUT">https://t.co/QbVRau4QUT</a></p>— Jock Landale (@LandaleJock) <a href="https://twitter.com/LandaleJock/status/1675276310078435328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jack White
Former Melbourne United forward Jack White may have ended his debut season in the NBA with a ring on his finger, but he’s now reportedly finalised a move away from Denver and signed a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

White was on a two-way contract with the Nuggets last season, meaning he split his time between NBA side Denver and its G-League affiliates – the Grand Rapids Gold.

He made 17 appearances for the Nuggets in their championship winning season at an average of 3.9 minutes per game

New Zealand part-owner Victor Oladipo is also reported to be joining White, Ousmane Dieng and Josh Giddey at the Thunder, after two-and-a-half seasons with the Heat.
- Per The Athletic's Shams Charania

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Australian forward Jack White has agreed on a two-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>. Agent Sammy Wloszczowski of <a href="https://twitter.com/SIGSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SIGSports</a> negotiates deal that brings the former Nuggets two-way wing to OKC.</p>— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1675276945108480007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Patty Mills
Australian basketball legend and former Melbourne Tiger Patty Mills is set to continue his storied NBA career, andhas had his contract moved three times in ten days due to the favourable finances and expiring status involved.

The 2014 NBA champion was initially traded to the Houston Rockets, before reportedly being flipped to OKC, alongside a second-round pick.

He has since been moved on to the Atlanta Hawks.

Mills averaged just over 14 minutes per game while playing for the Brooklyn Nets last season. The sharpshooter shot 49.3 per cent from the field, 36 per cent from the field and 83.3 per cent from the line.

- Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oklahoma City is acquiring Brooklyn guard Patty Mills as part of a broader deal through Houston, sources tell ESPN. The Thunder will receive draft compensation to take on Mills’ $6.8M expiring deal.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1675564454145060864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joe Ingles
After winning an NBL title with the South Dragons in 2009 Joe Ingles has embarked on a strong NBL career. After leaving the Utah Jazz as the franchise leader in all-time three pointers made in 2022, Ingles has reportedly inked a two-year deal with the Orlando Magic.

The veteran made 46 appearances for the Milwaukee Bucks last season upon his return from a serious knee injury, and averaged 6.9 points per game.

Ingles will likely provide veteran leadership to a young and emerging Orlando side that features reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero and number six pick Anthony Black.
- Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Joe Ingles has agreed to a 2-year, $22M deal with the Magic, per <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wojespn</a> <a href="https://t.co/OGQSQPMDB1">pic.twitter.com/OGQSQPMDB1</a></p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1674924253450235904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In other news, a former NBL Next Star is reportedly on the verge of a huge new deal.

LaMelo Ball
Former Illawarra Hawk LaMelo Ball is reported to be finalising a monster five-year maximum extension with the Charlotte Hornets.

The former NBL and NBA Rookie of the Year is expected to sign a contract worth $260 million over five seasons, according to The Athletic and NBA Insider Shams Charania.
- Per multiple reports

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LaMelo Ball is finalizing a five-year max extension worth up to $260M, per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a> <a href="https://t.co/uBQOvHCvuu">pic.twitter.com/uBQOvHCvuu</a></p>— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1675223415567835136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While an Australian Boomers' star and South East Melbourne Phoenix part-owner is reportedly set for a return to the NBA.

Dante Exum
South East Melbourne part-owner Dante Exum is expected to make his return to the NBA, following two seasons in the Europe with Barcelona and Partizan.

The former number five draft pick was beset by injuries during his early NBA career, but still made 245 appearances (72 starts) over seven seasons with Utah and Cleveland.

Exum is reportedly signing a one-year guaranteed veteran’s minimum deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
- Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free agent G Dante Exum – a former No. 5 overall pick – is returning to the NBA on a guaranteed deal with the Dallas Mavericks, his agent Brandon Rosenthal tells ESPN. After leading Partizan to their first title in a decade, Exum brings his perimeter versatility to the Mavs.</p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1675324353691504640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>