Oklahoma City Thunder to feature in NBL-NBA triple header

NBL owner Larry Kestelman, third from left, at the launch of the NBL and WNBL. Photo / Supplied

Steven Adams' Oklahoma City Thunder will play in an historic Australian NBA triple-header next month.

Melbourne United, Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets will play against OKC, Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns, in what could become an annual event.

Australia basketball tycoon Larry Kestleman is off to the US to meet the NBA in a few weeks' times to start discussions.

"We want more and more interaction between the two leagues.

"We want to go there, we want them to come here, we want to be true partners with them so the more we can do and the more we can learn from them the happier I am."

United will open the 2017-18 season against Adelaide 36ers on October 5 and then travel to Oklahoma for a date with the Thunder on October 9.

The Breakers start their season on October 8 against Cairns at Spark Arena.

Next up is a trip to Napier and New Plymouth, to play Melbourne United in two games on Sunday and Tuesday respectively, before they round out their pre-season schedule with a game against Brisbane in Tauranga on September 27.