Dream Big: The NBA stars we'd love to see in the NBL

The Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season is fast approaching, and teams are quickly filling their rosters.

As it stands, Cairns (three), Illawarra (two), Melbourne (one), New Zealand (one), Perth (one), South East Melbourne (one), Sydney (one) and Tasmania (one) all have import spots remaining.

Now, are some of the following names a long shot? Absolutely. But the basketball landscape can change quickly, and Australia’s sunshine, lifestyle and rapidly growing league could prove an enticing combination.

We’ve seen plenty of former NBA talent make their way Down Under in recent years, so it’s always fun to consider who could be next.

Here are some of the biggest names currently available:

Isaiah Thomas

A two-time All-Star and 2017 All-NBA Second Team selection that chalked 582 games in the NBA for 10 different teams, most notably Sacramento and Boston.

Thomas, who played for Utah's G League affiliate Salt Lake City in 2025, has regularly hinted that 'he'd love' to play in the NBA, so he's a name to keep an eye on.

Victor Oladipo

A two-time All-Star, that was also named to the All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team in 2018.

Spent time in Orlando, Oklahoma City, Indiana, Houston and Miami, where he amassed 537 games across 10 seasons.

The guard, who played with Wisconsin in the G League last season, even held a Pro Day in Las Vegas, during the NBA Summer League, to prove that he's ready to return to the hardwood in 2026.

Lance Stephenson

An electric and crafty guard, who averaged 13.8 points in 2013-14 to help the Indiana Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

Another strong season followed in 2015-16 in Memphis (14.2 points a game), as Stephenson went on to play 611 NBA games across 10 years.

Much like Thomas, Stephenson, who played in Singapore last season, has expressed an interest in the NBL, once saying "I'm actually ready, I've been working out, staying in shape. So you guys want me man, I'll come out here and play".

DeMarcus Cousins

A four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Second Team member, Cousins, who has 674 games to his name, was recently in Australia for the first-ever NBA House in Melbourne.

During his time in Australia, the Olympic 2016 gold medallist, who last played in Puerto Rico and Mongolia, said he kept tabs on and enjoyed the NBL.

"It [the NBL] is like a really good soap opera. I like how they kind of stir the pot, keep the fans engaged and put the drama within the game. That's very entertaining, and it's great for the game. Great athletes, great players, and I think it's a good league," he said to Channel 9.

JaVale McGee

A big man who took the NBL by storm in 2025-26, leading the competition in blocks and finishing second in rebounds for the Illawarra Hawks.

With 985 NBA games, three championships and an Olympic gold medal to his name, McGee could easily help an NBL team's journey to a title.

Russell Westbrook

A former MVP of the NBA, who is a nine-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA First Team selection, among numerous other accolades.

With 1436 games to his name, Westbrook has electrified crowds with huge dunks and his stat-stuffing ability for more than a decade.

Last played with the Sacramento Kings and currently looking for his next stop after 18 years in the NBA.

Kenneth Faried

Faried was one of the most fun and energetic players in the NBA for eight seasons, most notably with the Denver Nuggets, where he established himself as one of the League's top rebounders.

The Manimal, who has 496 games to his name in the NBA, has most recently been plying his trade in China, Puerto Rico, Russia, Mexico, Italy, Taiwan and Greece.

Hassan Whiteside

An interior force that was one of the NBA's top rebounders and blocks at his peak with Miami and Portland, leading the League in both in 2017 and 2019/2020.

Since then, the 37-year-old, a 537-game veteran, has been producing in Puerto Rico and China and could easily make an impact in the NBL.

Eric Gordon

An electric guard, that can hurt defences both inside and outside the paint and most recently played with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 995-game NBA veteran, who won both the Sixth Man of the Year and Three-Point Contest in 2017, was a key cog of the Houston Rocket team that made the 2017-18 Western Conference Finals.

Patrick Beverley

A relentless defender who carved his way into the NBA by his determination and grit, spending 12 years in the League across seven teams (most notably the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers).

The 737-game NBA veteran, who started his professional career in Europe including winning the 2012 EuroCup MVP, has since been playing in Israel and Greece.

The tenacious 38-year-old point guard would bring plenty of character to the NBL.