Anna 
The New Orleans Pelicans will travel to Australia in October for a two-game exhibition series against National Basketball League (NBL) teams Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix. The event marks the latest collaboration between an NBA franchise and Australian basketball, with hopes of making it a recurring tradition.
The matches will be held at Melbourne’s 14,000-seat Rod Laver Arena, scheduled for the weekend following the AFL Grand Final. Organizers also plan to host two open training sessions at Melbourne Park, aiming to attract a strong local turnout.
The Pelicans have committed to bringing a full-strength squad, including star forward Zion Williamson, as part of their preparations for the 2025-26 NBA season.
A Vision for Long-Term NBA-NBL Collaboration
NBL owner Larry Kestelman believes this tour will be the first of many similar events. “I do believe this is the first, but not the last,” he said, describing the visit as a “celebration” of Australian basketball.
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, David Griffin, shared that discussions about this tour had been ongoing for over a decade. He also expressed a desire to strengthen the team’s ties with Australian talent.
“The way athletes in general are raised here, not just basketball players, I think there’s a commitment to excellence here that I would like us to become synonymous with,” Griffin said.
Griffin also addressed the team’s 2023 decision to trade Australian guard Dyson Daniels to the Atlanta Hawks, stating it was “the right thing to do at the right time.” Daniels, now a top contender for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, has recorded 178 steals this season—66 more than his closest competitor.
While the Pelicans previously employed a full-time scout in Australia, Griffin confirmed that the position no longer exists. However, he hopes this trip will help reestablish stronger ties with Australian basketball and increase opportunities for future signings.
Growing NBA Presence in Australia
This visit follows other major American sports teams making appearances in Australia. In 2023, the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and LA Kings played exhibition matches in Melbourne. The NFL’s LA Rams are also set to play a regular-season game at the MCG in 2026, with an expected attendance of nearly 100,000.
Discussions with Australian broadcasters are ongoing to secure live coverage of the Pelicans’ games. The second match has been strategically scheduled for Sunday afternoon to avoid clashing with the NRL Grand Final.
While Griffin hopes the Pelicans will return in the future, he acknowledges that nothing is guaranteed. “I hope it works out well enough that the organization sees that [it’s worth returning],” he said.
Meanwhile, Kestelman aims to make NBA exhibitions an annual event but admitted scheduling conflicts under the NBA’s bargaining agreement could make it difficult for two NBA teams to face off in Australia. “Those things are usually locked away a few years ahead, but I would never count that out,” he said.
The Pelicans are currently struggling in the NBA standings, sitting 14th in the Western Conference and out of playoff contention. However, their visit to Australia promises to generate excitement among basketball fans eager to see NBA talent on local soil.
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