The Pelicans will certainly become the first NBA club to play foot and plays in Australia, because they can compete two pre-season races in October, as organizers recently confirmed this Tuesday morning. This is part of the expansion of the competition, in which games all around the world took place.
Both international collisions will be against the Melbourne, United and Phoenix teams, and in Melbourne Park. This is the same arena that is famous for hosting the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam. “The meaning of this basketball announcement in Australia and the NBL cannot be overestimated.
“Organizing an NBA team in Australia is a long dream for everyone at the NBL and to finally see this initiative coming out after a journey of 15 years that a lot can be achieved when you ‘dream’,” said Larry Kestelman, owner and director of the National Basketball League of Australia.
The New Orleans team, which will play in Australia on 3 and 5 October, contains point guard Dejounde Murray and two-time All-Star Zion Williamson. “This is an exciting moment for our organization and proof of the growing worldwide impact of the NBA.
“Bringing the Pelicans and NBA to Australia for the first time is a proud milestone and we are very happy to be part of this unique opportunity to get in touch with fans in Melbourne,” said Dennis Lauscha, president of the Franchise in New Orleans.
However, there may be a possibility that Zion will not play these pre-season matches for the 2025-26 campaign, because there are growing rumors around the competition that the rockets are interested in exchanging him for a package with Jabari Smith Jr., Sheppard, Tari Eason and Jock Landale.
“The Pelicans must use this rare opportunity to now trade the often 24-year-old 24-year-old and to reset the schedule around a new group of young talent,” wrote Greg Schwartz of Bleacher Report about the attacker who assists an average of 26.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.9 about his last 15 games.
The reporter added: “If the rockets from the West Play -offs bow early and talk to link Williamson with Jalen Green, Alps şengün, Dillon Brooks, Fred Vanvleet and Cam Whitmore, the Pelicans must be delighted to add Smith, Sheppard and Eason.”
