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Hosted by LeBron James, the luxury multi-country vacation featured core members of the historic 2015–16 roster, including Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, and Tristan Thompson, with Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova joining the group later. Despite playing in 13 games during that legendary postseason run, the 39-year-old Russian big was completely omitted from the planning. Speaking with the Russian outlet Sport Express on Friday, Timofey Mozgov revealed that nobody from the title-winning squad text messaged or called him to join the summer trip. “Yes, I saw the video of that party. No one wrote or called me. If I’d been invited, I’d have gladly joined. Of course, I’d have loved to be there too, to drink some wine,” he answered when asked if an invitation had been extended.
Channing Frye: "When we saw Delly, we thought he grew two inches. This dude is built like a WWE wrestler. He is the most yoked I have ever seen him. He said a few years ago he completely changed his whole routine and how he is approaching the game. Delly did work out. He was up with us at night and he was up by himself in the morning. This dude is dedicated to his craft. We love seeing him. You got a glimpse of his personality when he lets loose, but he is always thinking about basketball."
Asked how he could both respect Dellavedova and criticize his game so harshly, Draymond Green doubled down. "I have so much respect for Matthew Delly," Green said. "To come from Australia, go to a small college at Saint Mary’s, have zero athleticism … and yet the man was guarding the hell out of Steph Curry. That is sure will, determination, grit -- a knowledge of the game that people don’t give him credit for. You can’t be that unathletic but that effective if you don’t have an extremely high basketball IQ."
Green explained that Dellavedova’s toughness -- particularly during the Cavaliers-Warriors Finals matchups -- earned admiration in Golden State’s locker room, even if he never viewed him as an elite talent. "I have a ton of respect for Delly because he’s so hard-nosed," Green explained. "But both things can be true. I can have a ton of respect for him -- and he stinks. That’s just what it is."
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“He's one of my favorites of all time,” Lue added. “He's right up there with Delly (Matthew Dellavedova). Just guys all for the team, whatever you need, no problem. Great in the locker room, great with the younger guys. It's never about him. It's always about the team and whatever we need. He's unbelievable.”
Appearing on popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat's livestream, Green shared a reason why he has James as the NBA's greatest of all time over Jordan. “MJ had Pippen, Bron was winning games with Matthew Delladova.. that guy stinks, no disrespect,” Green said when debating the topic. Of course, that doesn't tell the whole story, as James has won titles with players like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and so forth. But, Jordan had talented players as well, not just Pippen.
Beyond JR Smith, Green picked on the scrappy guard, Matthew Dellavedova. It’s safe to say the Golden State Warriors star is not a fan of his hoops game. “I don’t think MJ had many guys that went through that. [Matthew Dellavedova] stinks,” Green added. “He won two games in the NBA Finals with him, [Dellavedova] stinks. I got a lot of respect for Delly… Stinks! Completely stinks. To win with guys like that… MJ wasn’t winning with Matthew Dellavedova.”
Four-time Olympian Matthew Dellavedova has agreed to a multiyear deal with the Sydney Kings, sources told ESPN. Dellavedova spent the last two seasons with Melbourne United, playing a primary role in leading them to back-to-back NBL Championship Series.
United, the Perth Wildcats, and Brisbane Bullets were the other NBL teams pursuing Dellavedova, sources said; he informed them of his decision on Sunday morning. Dellavedova had conducted visits to his free agent suitors over the past week, sources said, beginning in Perth, before traveling to Sydney and Brisbane. He was seeking a high-priced, multiyear deal that would keep him contracted through to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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Olgun Uluc: Matthew Dellavedova has agreed to a multi-year deal with the Sydney Kings, sources told ESPN. He informed other teams of his decision this morning.
Matthew Dellavedova is in the process of travelling across Australia, with the four-time Olympian meeting with multiple potential suitors ahead of the opening of NBL Free Agency, sources told ESPN. After playing a key role in leading Melbourne United to back-to-back NBL Championship Series - both of which the team lost in five games - the Australian point guard enters free agency as the most sought-after player on the market. Dellavedova was in Perth on Monday, sources said, where he had multiple meetings with Wildcats decision-makers and key personnel.
Justin Tatum said there are “High-level talented guys” in the NBL. Former NBA players in the NBL include Montrezl Harrell, Ian Clark, Matthew Dellavedova, Matthew Hurt, Rob Edwards, Bryce Cotton and Derrick Walton Jr. NBL alumni in the NBA include Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng and Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr. Moreover, New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez, 17, is a heralded prospect for the 2026 NBA draft. “And I’m not just talking about the former, current or want to be NBA players that are over here,” Justin Tatum said. “The Australian players are unbelievably good. It’s very physical. A lot of things you can’t get away with in the States, they let you play through here.”
