Veteran point guard and four-time Olympian Matthew Dellavedova has inked a multiyear deal with the Sydney Kings, marking a significant power shift in the 2025 NBL Free Agency landscape. The 34-year-old Australian basketball icon, best known for his gritty style and championship pedigree, made the decision following strong interest from multiple teams — including former club Melbourne United, as well as the Perth Wildcats and Brisbane Bullets.
The move reunites Dellavedova with former Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian, now at the helm of the Kings, and Andrew Bogut, a longtime Boomers teammate who was recently appointed assistant coach in Sydney. The high-profile acquisition signals the Kings’ intent to return to title contention after a disappointing 2024–25 campaign.
According to sources close to ESPN, the Kings secured Dellavedova’s signature after a week-long tour of NBL clubs, in which the guard met with suitors across the country. His decision, reportedly communicated on Sunday morning, makes him one of the highest-profile player movements in recent NBL history — and a marquee designation under the league’s evolving salary cap system.
The Return of “Delly”
Dellavedova’s signing comes on the heels of two stellar seasons with Melbourne United, during which he helped steer the club to back-to-back appearances in the NBL Championship Series. Despite United falling in a thrilling five-game Finals to the Illawarra Hawks this year, Dellavedova’s performance was enough to earn him the 2025 Championship Series MVP, averaging 11.2 points and 7.3 assists per game throughout the season and playoffs.
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The former NBA champion — who famously helped the Cleveland Cavaliers to their 2016 title alongside LeBron James — has been widely respected for his leadership, defensive intensity, and playmaking ability. For the Kings, he brings not only veteran poise, but also an immediate cultural boost.
Dellavedova’s decision to commit to a long-term deal, reportedly extending through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, provides both stability and ambition for a franchise eager to rebound from a middling 16–13 season and an early exit in the play-in tournament at the hands of the Adelaide 36ers.
A Strategic Marquee Signing Under New Cap Rules
Under updated NBL salary cap regulations for the 2025–26 season, Dellavedova’s deal is expected to be categorized under the marquee player rule, allowing teams to offer lucrative contracts while only a portion counts against the cap.
The league’s first marquee player now hits the salary cap at $250,056.15, significantly below typical market value for top-tier Australian and Kiwi talent. A second marquee player is counted at $333,409.66, while additional slots allow teams further flexibility in roster structuring.
With a total salary cap of $2,025,569.08 and a salary floor of $1,823,030.40, the new structure is designed to encourage financial discipline while enabling headline deals like Dellavedova’s.
NBL teams are permitted a maximum of four combined marquee and import players, making Delly’s signing a marquee-caliber commitment with strategic implications for the Kings’ broader roster construction.
Reuniting with Familiar Faces in Sydney
Dellavedova won’t be alone in this new chapter. His transition to Sydney puts him under the leadership of Brian Goorjian, Australia’s most decorated basketball coach, and on a coaching staff that now includes Andrew Bogut, his longtime Boomers teammate and fellow NBA alumnus.
The Kings have quietly assembled a mix of experience and emerging talent, with returning players including Xavier Cooks, Bul Kuol, Kouat Noi, Keli Leaupepe, Jaylin Galloway, Tyler Robertson, Shaun Bruce, and Jason Spurgin. Dellavedova’s addition adds depth and maturity to this core, and is expected to bolster the Kings’ on-court IQ and late-game execution.
“Dellavedova is more than just a basketball player,” one NBL insider noted. “He’s a culture-setter. He plays hard, expects professionalism, and brings out the best in teammates. That’s the kind of presence Sydney needed to bounce back.”
A Career Defined by Toughness and Leadership
Born in Maryborough, Victoria, Dellavedova’s career trajectory has been anything but conventional. From college stardom at Saint Mary’s in California to becoming an NBA cult hero, his relentless defense and underdog story captivated fans globally.
He played nine seasons in the NBA — primarily with the Cleveland Cavaliers, with whom he won a championship in 2016, as well as stints with the Milwaukee Bucks. Dellavedova’s reputation was forged in playoff duels, tenacious defense against elite guards, and an unyielding commitment to team basketball.
His transition to the NBL in 2021 signaled a homecoming and a reengagement with Australian basketball, culminating in two seasons of Finals appearances and now a potentially career-defining role with Sydney.
NBL Salary System Evolves Alongside Talent
Dellavedova’s deal is also a sign of the NBL’s continued evolution — not just in attracting talent, but in how it manages team payrolls and player contracts.
The 2025–26 salary cap increased 4% from last season’s $1,947,662.58, in accordance with league policy. While the rise is modest compared to previous 7% jumps, it reflects a more conservative adjustment after several teams reportedly finished under cap last season.
Notably, the minimum player salary has been set at $79,758.05, with the 2026 minimum already indexed to $82,948.37, giving teams more clarity when negotiating multi-year deals. Development players will earn no less than $22,495.64, ensuring that young athletes are financially supported as they enter the professional ranks.
These adjustments reflect the NBL’s continued maturity as one of the world’s most competitive — and increasingly watched — domestic basketball leagues.
What This Means for the League
With the Illawarra Hawks fresh off their first championship in over two decades and new investment pouring into teams across Australia and New Zealand, the NBL is entering a transformative phase — one defined by global attention, returning national heroes, and increasingly shrewd front office strategy.
Dellavedova’s arrival in Sydney sends a clear signal: the Kings are reloading, not rebuilding. And in a league where margins are tight and leadership counts for everything, Delly might just be the difference-maker the Kings need to reclaim their place at the top.
Upcoming Free Agency Notes:
- The NBL Free Agency period officially opened on April 4 at 9am AEDT.
- Teams are expected to move quickly, with a number of high-profile Australians and imports still on the board.
- More roster updates from the Sydney Kings and across the league are expected in the coming days.
