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Joe Ingles -- a five-time Olympian and 12-year NBA veteran -- plans to join Melbourne United ahead of the 2026-27 NBL season, multiple sources told ESPN. Ingles is currently in the midst of an NBA playoffs campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves; once his season is complete, there's an expectation that the 38-year-old will finalise a deal with United in Australia's NBL.
One of Australia's longest serving NBA players, Ingles has long harboured a desire to finish his career in the NBL, with both Melbourne-based teams -- United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix -- of interest to him, sources said. Ingles began his professional career in the NBL with the now-defunct South Dragons in 2006. "The club is in contact with Joe and we'd love to sign him to a contract if the opportunity presents itself following the completion of the NBA season," a United spokesperson told ESPN.
Varun Shankar: Injury reports for Rockets-Wolves - Eason still questionable (FVV and Adams OUT) - Ayo will play for Minn, Ant and Naz Reid questionable. - Rudy, Bones, Ingles, Randle all OUT
Joe Ingles has interest in returning to the NBL, and the growing sentiment is that he's keeping a close eye on both Melbourne teams. Ingles has spoken with both United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, while the Adelaide 36ers appear to be the most proactive team chasing the five-time Olympian. Ingles is in his 12th season in the NBA, currently playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Peter Hooley: NBL clubs have contacted Joe Ingles and his representation in effort to bring him home next season. One of Australia’s all-time greats, his career started in the NBL, before heading to Europe and then NBA. Ingles is currently with the Timberwolves as they approach the Playoffs.
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The Timberwolves have upgraded Jaden McDaniels (left oblique contusion) to questionable for Christmas Day’s game against Denver. Joe Ingles (personal reasons) is available.
Isaiah Thomas said he is healthy because he still has the desire to play in the NBA again. In stops with Charlotte and Phoenix, he served as a veteran presence and mentor, erasing concerns that he would be clamoring for playing time or be a potential distraction. NBA teams have been more prone in recent years to sign veterans such as Garrett Temple in Toronto or Deandre Jordan in New Orleans or Kyle Lowry in Philadelphia or Joe Ingles in Minnesota to help with the nurturing of younger players. “I want to play one more year,” Thomas said. “I want to be able to put on a jersey and mentally end it on my own. I feel that good and I know I’m able to produce for a team whether it’s on the floor or whether it’s a veteran presence in the locker room. Ultimately my No. 1 goal is to get back in. I’m staying ready but also figuring out things that are happening throughout my life that are positive as well.”
Jon Krawcznyski: Joe Ingles has a strained groin. He’s going to be re-evaluated in a week, per the Wolves
Who were some of the NBA comparisons you were hearing coming in? Like, when you were hearing, “Okay, it’s time. I gotta leave now”? Jalen Williams: They weren’t really what made me leave, but I got guys like Joe Ingles. Joe, man — Joe’s my boy. It’s funny — me and my team were like, “Ain’t no way they thought he was no damn Joe, bro!” I gotta find the thing… yeah, yeah. Joe’s the homie though — salute to Kill. Yeah, he was a good chiller. Yeah, Joe... I got Joe Ingles. Me and my trainer — when I got drafted — he gave me Joe’s trading card, just as a joke. But I think my ceiling was like Harden, and then they were saying I played like Joe Ingles. So that was mine too, coming out of college.
Jon Krawczynski: From what I can gather on the Wolves' thinking on Ingles: He's a good vet, beloved by teammates and valued by coaches. Will take a spot without expecting big playing time without issue. Minott wanted to go elsewhere for minutes. Any young player would have similar frustration
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Shams Charania: Free agent forward Joe Ingles intends to sign a one-year, $3.6 million deal to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. Wolves officials negotiated the deal with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports to bring Ingles back for his 12th NBA season.
Michael Grange: Australian NBL prospect Alex Toohey told me that he has workout with the Raptors scheduled. Big playmaking wing who models his game after Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Ingles and others.
Jonah: Julius Randle on Mike Conley and Joe Ingles' veteran leadership: “I’ve talked all year about the leader that he is (Conley) for our team, and how he kinda keeps us balanced. -- How he or Joe is able to pull me to the side. Keep me level-headed. -- Those guys are huge."
Coach Chris Finch did something a little different to change the energy of the team from the start. He started Joe Ingles, whose autistic son Jacob is now able to attend games in an arena for the first time in his life. Ingles’ family has been living in Orlando this season, and they were here this week, but Ingles hadn’t played. Finch gave Ingles the start, with Ingles’ former teammate in Utah Mike Conley ceding his spot. “It was emotional,” Finch said. “Sometimes you gotta do the human thing. We always talk about all these minutes matter, and those minutes matter for another reason.”
