Aron Baynes' immediate playing future is clouded after the Boomers veteran was forced to watch the side's historic Olympic bronze-medal playoff win from hospital.
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The NBA championship winner and three-time Olympian had his Tokyo campaign ended in the group stage when he aggravated a neck injury by slipping in the changeroom during a game.
Centre Baynes, 34, was ruled out for the tournament but expected to recover within weeks, according to the Australian team's medical staff.
But The Athletic's Shams Charania has reported Baynes could miss all of the next NBA season with nerve damage in his neck that was more serious than first detailed.
Captain Patty Mills had to accept Baynes' medal - the Boomers' first in international competition - on his behalf in Tokyo on Saturday, with teammates video-calling him in his hospital bed after the win.
"We've got his medal," Joe Ingles said post-game. "Obviously he couldn't be here as of right now.
"Another close friend of ours who has been part of it.
"Obviously unfortunate that he couldn't be here with his injury but again, he has been as big a part of this as we have as well.
"We love Bangers and hopefully he's nice and healthy soon and will get on a flight with these guys."
Baynes, who was entering the final year of a two-season NBA deal with the Toronto Raptors, was waived by the club earlier this week.
Australian Associated Press
