They get less than $US100,000 according to the original announcement of the plan.

Nobody received over a million ya pork chop

NBL launches 'Next Stars' program, targeting potential one-and-done athletes

The players who are brought over will be paid $AUD100,000, which ends up as $US50,000 net, sources told foxsports.com.au.

Sources told ESPN those players will be paid 100,000 Australian dollars gross guaranteed (approximately $78,000 U.S.), funded directly by the league.

I welcome any sources you may have to contradict those.

If, on the other hand, you just want to unilaterally declare that I'm wrong, with no sources whatsoever, I would like to kindly invite you to fuck off.

Whilst I was always under the impression it was that $100k AUD figure, it wouldn't surprise if there was some sort of scenario where Ball received more than that in some way whether it be directly from NBL or Hawks or some other scenario ie sponsors.

We all expected the NBA would return serve in some way, the next stars doesn’t define the NBL, it just boosted it nicely. Same with Bogut - directed attention and credibility to the league, now the league has to keep it maintain it keep growing. NBL clearly has a savvy approach and seeing talent that has returned to the league lends to that.

I think the NBL Cup is a good thing to try to foster in some way. I’d like to see it in NZ next year and then in 2023 hopefully international travel opens up more and it could be split between US and Asia with those doing NBAxNBL also playing against each other, say in some popup basketball setup somewhere (near beaches of Cali anyone?!) - good opportunity for scouts to see good NBL players. Other half play in Asia, good opportunity to please sponsors.

There are a lot of options to play with to use the Cup to 1) get nba scouts and eyeballs, 2) reach into Asia market and please sponsors, and 3) have a small period of constant basketball without clubs having to feel punishment of low crowds for eary/midweek games.

If ticket revenue/ crowd numbers are a deciding factor I couldn't see NBL Cup working - I think Melbourne is your best chance for it to work on that basis.

If next stars IS abandoned then the money and resources should be funnelled into getting the 11 best Asian players in the world to the NBL.

I have no idea about the Overtime Elite league, but a key selling point of the Next Stars was to introduce young players to a professional truly competitive environment against mature players. Not just other young players in a usually talent-diluted competition as in college, nor a league populated by players looking to steal attention as in the G league.

I have always understood that Next Stars get $100k paid for by the NBL (per KR's links).

But people here say the teams can/do top that up.

I don't know what to believe but I am sure the $100k is paid and the league retains their rights in anticipation for a buyout should they go to another team.

Did the NBL receive anything for holding the rights to Lamelo when he was drafted?

You were the one who said the $100k figure was from the original announcement, then went on to cite reports who cited sources. I thought when you said original announcement, you were going to quote something the NBL stated.

I think the most important aspect of this news is that the NBL has created networking with NBA scouts and they know that they could find a diamond in the rough here so they should be doing their due diligence and keep an eye on the NBL instead of forgetting about it and allowing other NBA teams to get any advantage.

We have ex NBL stars that are proving valuable to their respective teams and even coaches are making their way onto NBA benches.

I'm so glad that not every ex NBA player can come into this league and make us and the Next Stars look silly as it speaks volumes for the league.

But one thing I'm curious about is John Mooney, he came in as an import as Wildcats didn't want to risk losing him to other clubs if they put him up as a next star (you don't need to be a Perth fan to see his value) but would the NBL be bending over backwards to try and sign him on a 2 year deal so that if NBA clubs come calling that they can make some money on buying out his contract ?

Would that apply for any other players in the NBL ?