Ryan Broekhoff Can Help An NBA Team Next Season

Over the last two seasons, Ryan Broekhoff has gotten to live out a childhood dream of playing in the NBA. Broekhoff joined the Dallas Mavericks as a 28-year-old rookie after a successful overseas career. Becoming an NBA player is such a significance that the Australian native says he took a pay-cut to come over to America two years ago after playing for Lokomotive Kuban in Russia.

“The timing just seemed too perfect not to go,” Broekhoff told me. “I had a couple really good seasons overseas, and I think I was at the perfect age.”

During his rookie season on the Mavericks, he appeared in 42 games and shot nearly 41% from three-point range. He only appeared in 17 games in his second season but had another impressive season from three-point range shooting over 39%.

“I would love to get an opportunity where I’m able to play more consistently and see how it translates and how I can help a team and show what I can do,” he said. “For the two years and the opportunities that I was given, I feel like I can hold my head up high.”

In Dallas, he was a fan-favorite and someone who made the right plays and stepped into any role when asked. While that was the case, the NBA is a tough business, and when the Mavs went out and signed Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, they had to remove someone from the roster to make way for their new addition.

Broekhoff was the one to be let go directly after a game versus the Utah Jazz on February 10th.

“It was difficult,” he said. “You realize it is part of the businesses. It’s hard not to think about it as personally.”

Straight after the game, he got showered and dressed, but head coach Rick Carlisle and General Manager Donnie Nelson pulled him aside for a chat in which they broke the news of his release.

The 30-year-old became a free agent just a month before the season shut down but did latch onto the Philadelphia 76ers right before the NBA Bubble in Orlando. There is always an interest in the NBA in a stretch forward who can hit three-pointers at the rate that Broekoff can. However, his wife tested positive for COVID-19, and they have a young child, so he made the right decision and decided to remain out of the NBA Bubble in Disney World.

“The health and safety of my family will always be paramount,” he said.

Even though he couldn’t suit up for the 76ers, there were still scenarios that played in his head of playing with fellow Australian Ben Simmons and All-Star Joel Embiid.

“I’ve gone through those scenarios,” he said. “You always try and put yourself in there and see where you could help or be effective.”

These days the 6’7″ forward spends time in Dallas with his family and training at a local YMCA during early mornings to stay in shape. Occasionally, some Mavericks fans will recognize him.

“It has a court and a weight room and everything I need,” he said.

As for off the court, Broekhoff has made good money overseas and in the NBA and wisely saves his money.

“We don’t have the expensive car or the lavish house,” he said.

He’s made a total of over $2 million in the last two years in the NBA. Things such as the stock market are places he is putting his money.

“It’s more setting aside for after basketball and when we retire,” he said.

No one knows when the NBA will start next season, but the sharpshooter keeps an open mind as to where he will play next season.

“We’re waiting on the NBA free-agency and when that will be,” he said. “I still feel I have a lot to prove and a lot to offer here in the NBA.”