
9
Jul
Cut to the Jase
tset bball
Podcasts
Jason Cadee says Max Mackinnon most likely new Aussie to make jump to the NBA
- Next Gen Luka sees NBL Next Star to path to NBA
- NBL Next Stars send global NBA message at 2026 adidas Eurocamp
- Australians blanked but Next Stars shine in 2026 NBA Draft
The NBA buzz around Aussie sharpshooter Max Mackinnon is real, according to Jason Cadee.
This is the time of the year where a bunch of Aussie talents are hopeful of reaching their NBA dreams with Summer League in Las Vegas on the horizon with more than 10 players on rosters for one of the biggest events of the year.
And while no Aussies were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, several stepping up from the college ranks have a chance to showcase their skills at Summer League, including Mackinnon (LSU), Anthony Dell'Orso (Arizona), Oscar Cluff (Purdue) and Harry Wessels (St Mary's).
Following an impressive senior year with LSU, Cadee said he believed Mackinnon was the most likely talent out of those to earn a two-way contract for the 2026/27 season.
"I actually am kind of leaning towards Max, and not just because I know him better than the rest, but just I think what he's been able to do in the last few years of college," Cadee said on the latest edition of the Cut to the Jase podcast.
"And I just think the fact Charlotte have already offered him Exhibit 10, it means that they're interested in what he brings. It's not just a Summer League spot in terms of we're bringing you in for Summer League.
"I tend to think that he's got an opportunity there to go and show something.
"So anyone that's got that, I think it then puts it back on them.
"So I do think Max has a genuine chance to probably get a two-way. I don't think he's looking at a roster spot, but I think there's a two-way deal there for him potentially, depending on how he goes the next few weeks."
Cadee also said Dell'Orso, who received NBA buzz from opposing college coaches during his senior season, is another talent we could see make their way into a two-way deal
"He was probably the other one for me. I just got a feeling Oscar, Wessels and Flynn (Cameron), they've got futures for now overseas," he said on the basketball.com.au podcast.
"Obviously Flynn's with Adelaide, those other two probably Europe, I could see them being bigs in Europe or back in the NBL, where I think Anthony and his ability to shoot the ball, his ability to play that kind of 3 and D role.
"He's genuinely six what is he 6'6" or 6'7", l.ike he's got length and he's a good athlete.
"So I think he's got an opportunity. It's just is someone really interested in him and actually bringing him in to to see if he can kind of play a role for their team."
Cadee also spoke about how Summer League was difficult for young athletes with the event featuring mostly players trying to impress individually and earn professional contracts.
"Summer League's different. I think a lot of people get caught up in Summer League being this big be-all and but it is a whole heap of different things. There's guys that have just been drafted which their teams want to get them one or two games and see them.
"There's guys that got drafted in the second round where they want to see them. There's guys that they bring in just to get a look at them in that environment.
"So there's a whole heap of different things going on and so as we see a lot of things don't really come out of Summer League. We've seen some of our guys go over and play really well at Summer League and not get anything.
"It's a great taste for all of them to be in that system, especially for the ones that are going somewhere where they genuinely look at bringing them into training camp."
NBA Summer League runs from July 9-16.
Exclusive Newsletter
Aussies in your Inbox: Don't miss a point, assist rebound or steal by Aussies competing overseas. Sign-up now!






.jpg)





.jpg)















