Giddey leaks: Bulls superstar breaks the news of gun NBL recruit
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Chicago Bulls star Josh Giddey has broken the news of a major NBL signing, with NBA forward Luke Travers set to reunite with Melbourne United.
Giddey tweeted on Wednesday night that Travers has “inked” a two-year deal with United, although that news came ahead of an anticipated announcement on Thursday.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Luke Travers drives past Celtic Baylor Scheierman during an NBA pre-season game in 2025.AP
Giddey and Travers share the same agent, and Giddey posted a similar tweet in 2023 revealing Travers’ move from his hometown Perth Wildcats to United, where he starred before moving to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers in 2024.
Melbourne United declined to comment on Giddey’s tweet on Wednesday night but the NBL’s social media accounts shared the tweet and a picture of Travers from his first stint with the team.
Australian fans found some humour in Giddey turning newsbreaker, with one even asking where free agent LeBron James will sign.
The 24-year-old Travers is at the peak of his powers, having played in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA G-League with Cleveland Charge for the past two seasons. The 198-centimetre forward has both the strength to play as a power forward, and the outside game to play on the perimeter.
Travers was stuck on a talent-filled Cavaliers bench but has the talent to work his way back to the NBA should he excel with United under new coach Jacob Chance who replaces Dean Vickerman.
Travers will give United an elite level athlete and should be an ideal foil for Australian great Joe Ingles who is also joining United following a decorated NBA career.
Once his signing is made official by United and the NBL, the last remaining question will be whether United have room for three imports or just two with one slot in reserve in case of injury.
Meanwhile, one of the NBL’s most famous surnames has returned to Melbourne with Jensen Bradtke, son of basketball legend Mark, signing a two-year deal at Melbourne United.
The 208cm 22-year-old joins from the Brisbane Bullets, where he played 13 games and averaged 3.9 minutes in his first season as a development player.
A move to Melbourne appears a fairytale moment for the family; Mark Bradtke became synonymous with United’s predecessor club the Melbourne Tigers during his own playing career.
Bradtke was a member of Melbourne’s first two championship-winning teams in 1993 and 1997 and his No.50 singlet is one of only six numbers retired by the club.
The younger Bradtke joins United as a development player for his first season, but his contract contains an option for promotion to the full roster beyond that.
Jensen Bradtke has signed with Melbourne United after playing for the Brisbane Bullets.Getty Images
Bradtke’s college career included stints with St Mary’s, the same school attended by Patty Mills, Jock Landale and Matthew Dellavedova, and Montana University.
“I’m over the moon to be a part of this United organisation,” Bradtke said.
“I know what they’re about. I’ve worked closely with the club in previous off-seasons, and I’ve got some family history here, so it’s pretty cool to be coming back to Melbourne and be a part of this team.”
With AAP
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Roy Ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news journalist. He's been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect via X or email.
Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.