Report: The three NBL clubs in talks with Joe Ingles

Before playing more than 800 games in the NBA and representing Australia at four Olympic Games, Joe Ingles started his career in the NBL with the South Dragons.

Now, one of the country’s greatest ever basketball exports is considering coming back to where it all started in Australia.

This news was broken by NBL commentator Pete Hooley recently, with the 2018 champion going into more detail in the latest episode of The Marketplace, presented by Paywise.

“It [Ingles returning home] is continuing to build,” Hooley said.

“It's still a decision that his family is going to have to make if he wants to come home at all, but from what we understand, there have been conversations with both Melbourne clubs, as well as the Adelaide 36ers.

“Joe's never been the fastest player in any league that he has played in, but if you can do certain things better than anybody else, like shoot the ball with a high IQ, [not to mention] get away with more physicality, I believe he would have a tremendous impact in whatever role he ends up in. He's still got plenty left in the tank.”

ESPN’s Olgun Uluc agrees that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist would be a massive signing for any NBL club.

“Notwithstanding the age, you think about the positional size and the IQ, and it makes sense anywhere,” Uluc said.

“It feels like the 36ers of the team that are the ones that are chasing most aggressively, they really, really want him.

“But it also feels like Ingles' preference is one of the Melbourne teams. That's what it feels like, and those two teams, we're waiting and seeing.

“They've had conversations with him, and they're figuring out if they can fit him into their plans.

“Again, it's Joe Ingles, generally, you find a way to fit Joe Ingles into your plans.”

Game 5 of the Championship Series tips off at 2.30pm AEST on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, live on ESPN and 10.

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