The biggest names still searching for their next move

With the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season fast approaching, most of the 10 teams' rosters are quickly filling up.

Most teams only have a few local roster spots left, so let's take a look at some of the key players that remain unsigned ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Patty Mills (last played for La Laguna Tenerife, Spain)

The Australian hoops legend, who guided the Boomers to their first Olympic medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, has 1,020 NBA games to his name, including winning a championship with San Antonio in 2014.

Most recently, the Canberra talent was plying his trade in Spain for La Laguna Tenerife.

During that time, the 38-year-old guard was linked to an NBL return with the Perth Wildcats.

Reports recently suggested Mills had signed with ASVEL Villeurbanne in France, but as yet, nothing is official, keeping the door open for a return to Australia.

Duop Reath (last played for Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA)

The Olympic bronze medallist has spent the three seasons in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers, amassing 146 appearances and 20 starts during that stretch.

With his ability to score both inside and outside and defend the rim, the former Illawarra Hawk would be a worthy addition to any NBL side during the 2026-27 campaign.

Ben Simmons (last played for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA)

The first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft has long been discussed as a potential NBL player, with commentators Andrew Gaze and Damon Lowery encouraging him to suit up in the 10-team competition.

With the 442-game NBA veteran having three All Star selections to his name, there's no doubt the 30-year-old, who recently stepped away from the game, could shine in the NBL if he decided to return to the hardwood.

Dante Exum (last played for Dallas Mavericks in the NBA)

The 358-game NBA veteran last played for the Dallas Mavericks after an injury-disrupted 2026 campaign.

The bronzed Boomer, who is a co-owner of the South East Melbourne Phoenix, is still only 31 years of age and has been linked back to the NBL.

Mitch Creek (last played for U-BT Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

Since playing for the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix, the forward has been plying his trade overseas.

Fresh off a dominant 2026 season in which the 34-year-old was named to the All-EuroCup Second Team and All-ABA League Team after guiding U-BT Cluj-Napoca to both the Romanian League and Romanian Cup, the former Brooklyn Net and current Australian Boomer could add plenty to any NBL side during next season.

Alex Ducas (last played for Brisbane Bullets)

The young Australian Boomer, who won the 2025 NBA championship with the Oklahoma City Thunder, spent the Hungry Jack's NBL26 Season with the Brisbane Bullets.

Showing plenty of promise during his maiden season in the NBL, the West Australian forward is one name to keep an eye on as the Free Agency period continues to heat up.

Lachlan Olbrich (last played for Chicago Bulls in the NBA)

After helping the Illawarra Hawks win the Hungry Jack's NBL25 championship, Olbrich was drafted by Chicago and spent last season with the Bulls.

That stint included producing the fourth-ever triple-double (10 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists) by a Bulls rookie, joining Michael Jordan, Jay Williams, and Kirk Hinrich.

Most recently, the South Australian big man enjoyed a successful time with Golden State at the 2026 NBA Summer League.

Brock Motum (last played for Toyama Grouses, Japan)

The former Adelaide 36ers big man has enjoyed a strong overseas career, plying his trade in Italy, Lithuania, Turkey, Spain, France and Japan.

Long-time linked to the NBL, the Australian Olympian could still offer plenty to the 10-team competition at the age of 35.

Thon Maker (last played for Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia)

The former Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons big man has spent his past few seasons playing in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

With his two-way versatility, the 29-year-old Australian Boomer is one that all NBL teams would love to have on their roster.

Alex Toohey (last played for Golden State Warriors in the NBA)

One of the country's top rising talents spent two seasons with the Sydney Kings as part of the NBL Next Star program (where he won the NBL25 Next Generation Award), before being drafted by the Golden State Warriors.

A knee injury derailed his rookie season in the NBA, but the Canberra forward's versatility would be a welcome addition to any NBL side.