Veteran forward Joe Ingles is interested in the idea of returning to his home country to play in Australia’s National Basketball League, Olgun Uluc of ESPN reports within his NBL free agency primer.
Ingles, 38, was a member of the South Dragons in Melbourne from 2006-09 before going undrafted in ’09. He spent the next several years competing in Spain and Israel, then eventually made the move to the NBA in 2014.
The 6’8″ forward has been stateside for the past 12 seasons, but after playing big minutes in Utah earlier in his career, he has essentially just been a locker room leader for the last couple years in Minnesota. Since joining the Timberwolves in the summer of 2024, Ingles has made 44 regular season appearances and played 216 total minutes (4.9 per game), primarily in garbage time.
The South Dragons no longer exist, but if Ingles were to return to Australia, he could end up playing in Melbourne once again, according to Uluc, who says the Timberwolves forward has already spoken with both Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. The Adelaide 36ers also reportedly have interest in Ingles and appear to be his most “proactive” suitor so far, Uluc adds.
Ingles is on a one-year, minimum-salary contract in Minnesota, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
He probably saw 38 year old JaVale McGee win his team MVP and went “I can still be an all star at basketball over there”.
Nope, he’s old, slow and he’ll struggle. McGee is 7’2 and complete different game. The team McGee played for didn’t even make the playoffs.
He’s been a huge part off Australia’s success in the international stage, would be fantastic to see him close out his career back home.
He ain’t KD who is old and still a star.
Ingles will be fine as a 3 and D forward but even over in Australia he’s not going to light it up.
McGee did well because he’s bigger and stronger than most plus he just knows little tricks and moves others don’t.
The league is mainly spark plug guards and the paint beast bigs. It’s probably not far off being on par with the GLeague minus the athletic forwards.
If your that 26/27 year old guy who is stuck being good in the G but not getting any looks for a 2 way deal then it’s probably the place to be. Australia and New Zealand are both terrific places to live, the arenas sell plenty of seats and you’ll be treated like an all star.
For example, Bryce Cotton is one of the best players in league history and is a 6 foot point guard, played 23 total nba games, was a 1 time D League all star and D League second team player and since being over here for almost 10 years is a 3 time champ and 6 time MVP.
I’d rather had that career and the success and legacy than being just someone who gets forgotten as a good g league player that never actually made it
Better than than the G League man. Some imports come from the G League and most don’t fare well.
Good guard and wing play. Not many good bigs, all overseas if any good. Hence McGee putting up stats. Was a man amongst boys so to speak. Someone like Cotton has plenty of experience in multiple different countries. Too small for the NBA. AS is Kendrick Davis out of Memphis.
Get McGlung over here and see how he goes.
You might be surprised.