There's some hope NBA prospect Ben Simmons could change his mind about playing for Australia at the Olympics if he is drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Simmons pulled out of the Boomers squad for Rio in April to focus on his fledgling NBA career and pre-season activities, including Summer League.
But with the 76ers coached by former national mentor Brett Brown and having top pick at next month's draft, not all hope is lost.
Current Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis said any discussions about Simmons' availability would be "way easier" with Brown - a friend and former colleague of his.
"We have that relationship where you pick up the phone and you know he's going to answer and have good, honest dialogue," Lemanis told AAP.
"There're no games being played ... and you'll get the answer early."
But Lemanis said that would only happen if Simmons wanted it to and the 76ers allowed him.
"Whether mentally he is in that position to go `actually, yeah, that's something I want to do', or whether he's already kind of said `no this is my path because I want to have a great first year in the NBA'," he added.
"That's only a decision he can make."
Lemanis is resigned to not having Simmons in the Olympic team as they chase for their first-ever Games medal and was planning ahead on that basis.
"Now, if he re-evaluates after being drafted and having a discussion with his NBA team and says `hey, listen, I've actually re-thought this and I want to make myself available', then absolutely (we'll welcome him)," he added.
"He needs to be comfortable with the decisions he makes. I'm happy to support him and have any discussions he wants to have on it."
Simmons was named in a preliminary 26-man squad, which will be cut down in mid-June before the Boomers' one and only pre-Olympic camp from July 5.
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