Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown wants Ben Simmons to play for Australia at the World Cup this year despite his superstar's precarious contract position.
Brown, who has been a head or assistant coach for the Boomers at three Olympics, would like to see the NBA's reigning rookie of the year play in the exhibition series against Team USA in Melbourne in August and then a week later at the World Cup in China.
Simmons is yet to commit to the Boomers' campaign.
"I hope he does," Brown told reporters before the 76ers played the Los Angeles Clippers in L.A. on Tuesday.
Simmons is due to sign a potential five-year, $A200 million-plus contract extension in the NBA off-season.
Injury in international play could hurt his huge payday.
Brown said it would be special for Simmons' Australian fans to see him play in green and gold at Marvel Stadium against Team USA in the World Cup warm-up games.
"I hope Ben does go back and play in front of the Australian fans," Brown said.
Brown, however, ruled out being an assistant or special adviser to Boomers head coach Andrej Lemanis at the World Cup or the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA will have NBA head coaches Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr in charge of their squad for the World Cup and Olympics.
"I don't have the time -- no," Brown said.
"I was the head coach in London, I was with the program for many years and I'm always happy to help Andrej Lemanis and Basketball Australia but I don't have any desire because of time more than anything."
The Australian men's team is yet to win a medal at either the World Cup, formerly the world championships, or the Olympics.
There are high expectations with a medal breakthrough with a team stacked with NBA talent headed by Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Ingles, Aron Baynes and possibly Simmons.
