Ingles excited by NBA move as Olympics decision looms

The 36-year-old believes he's done everything possible to book a ticket to Paris at this week's camp in Melbourne, which featured a pair of comfortable wins over China in warm-up games.

But if Ingles isn't on coach Brian Goorjian's final 12-man roster, a move to the NBA contending Minnesota Timberwolves will serve as an adequate consolation prize.

Ingles, whose option for 2024-25 was declined by the Orlando Magic last week, has signed a one-year deal to join a Wolves outfit that reached the Western Conference finals last season.

"It was more a basketball decision," Ingles told reporters after the Boomers' 91-58 thrashing of China on Thursday night.

"Orlando would've been different. They've got a really young group and drafted another three-four (Tristan da Silva) or whatever position he is, so I probably wouldn't have played much at all.

"That competitive (drive) is always going to be there and to have another chance on a really good team will be fun."

Minnesota were knocked out of NBA title contention last season by a Dallas Mavericks outfit featuring Ingles' national teammates Josh Green and Dante Exum, and are tipped to be in the hunt again.

Ingles was swayed by in-depth discussions with Wolves coach Chris Finch and basketball operations boss Tim Connelly, and will link up again with former Utah Jazz teammates Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley.

"They actually tried to get me last year as well," Ingles said.

"They went pretty hard and we decided Orlando.

"I'm going in there fully understanding the role they have for me.

"I'm trying to help Rudy, trying to help Ant (Edwards) and all these guys get better and hopefully go further."

Before returning to the NBA, Ingles is desperate to land a fifth Olympics appearance alongside long-time teammate Patty Mills.

The Boomers are chasing another Olympic medal after bronze in Tokyo, and are eager to bounce back from a difficult World Cup campaign last year.

The team will feature a core group of NBA talent, likely including Josh Giddey, Green, Exum, Matisse Thybulle, Dyson Daniels, Duop Reath, Jock Landale and Mills.

"We definitely have a bit more familiarity and consistency with the group," Ingles said.

"Last year at the World Cup we had six or seven new guys and obviously some important pieces too.

"It's been a really good week (in Melbourne). It's been physical and tiring ... and there's definitely some positives that we can take forward."

A seasoned veteran, Ingles hasn't let selection pressure get to him during the Melbourne camp.

'Like everybody here, you want to make it, and obviously for Patty and I going to a fifth one would be unbelievable," Ingles said.

"I think I did everything I could have done and had a good week of practice.

"I know what I do when I'm out on the floor to connect the group and bring people together, and get that flow back when we are stagnant.

"It is what it is ... I'll either be really happy or I'll be a little pissed off. We'll see what happens"

Australian Associated Press