Ben Simmons could yet be the added "spice" in Brian Goorjian's mixing bowl as the Boomers coach whips up a potential gold-medal-winning recipe for the FIBA World Cup.
Goorjian sees Simmons' troublesome back as the only hurdle to the three-time NBA All-Star ending a nine-year Boomers absence, believing the versatile talent is determined to represent his country again.
But the coach is adamant the ongoing uncertainty around Simmons' participation is no barrier to Australia's chances of claiming their first finish on the World Cup podium.
The Boomers' stacked roster could include 10 active NBA players even without Simmons.
"It's like a meal, he's that little spice that you add to it," Goorjian told reporters on Friday.
"We're building a foundation and a process moving forward and if he comes, that's a nice addition to it.
"If not, we're good to go."
If Simmons' social media posts are any guide, he has been hard at work trying to rectify the back issue that kept him sidelined through the latter stages of the NBA season with Brooklyn.
The Melbourne-born 26-year-old still has more than six weeks to prove his fitness for the Boomers' pre-tournament camp in Cairns, which runs from August 1 to 10.
"The messages coming from him and his camp have been that he's going to work during this period of time and it's something that he wants to do," Goorjian said.
"He sees it as something good for him ... and we're just waiting."
Simmons has become one of basketball's most divisive figures since a messy trade from Philadelphia to Brooklyn, and Goorjian believes the player could benefit from being part of the Boomers' famed team-first culture.
His message to Simmons is two-pronged and simple.
"We respect you, you're a fantastic talent, a fantastic player and you would be great for our team," Goorjian said.
"But in turn, this is a great situation for you. It's a great culture, you're with your mates, you can walk in the door and you can be you.
"The baggage and all that is gone. You can step on the floor and be you.
"I feel when I explain it it's exciting and I'm sure it is for him ... I get an energy from him that he understands this and it's something that he wants to do."
The Boomers finished a gut-wrenching fourth at the last World Cup in China four years ago before breaking their major tournament medal drought with bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.
"We have a tremendous respect for the competition but there's a respect now with us being a legitimate top-four team for a long period of time," Goorjian said.
"We've got a lot of NBA players and a lot of players that are respected worldwide on this team.
"It's had a reputation of playing hard, playing together with a strong culture."
Australia's first World Cup game is on August 25 against Japan.
