New Zealand have been drawn against Greece and Slovenia for their last-chance qualifying tournament.
Josh Giddey, 21, didn't comment over allegations of the relationship.
Last season's beaten finalists are now two frontline players down and desperately in need of reinforcements.
The Kiwi outfit are still waiting to record consecutive victories to start their new campaign.
The Australian Boomer will be out for at least six weeks.
The Auckland side picked up their first away win of the new season.
Import Parker Jackson-Cartwright is playing with a chip on his shoulder.
The Auckland ANBL franchise was exiled in Tasmania for two seasons during the pandemic.
The online poll proved a landslide victory for the pūteketeke, thanks to some US intervention.
