Whispers the Otago Nuggets centre is not returning to the franchise in 2024 popped up on the National Basketball League’s website this week.
"Timmins is a name coming up regularly during free agency and it seems almost certain the big man will be on the move from the Nuggets," the NBL posted.
"Multiple teams have shown interest in Timmins, and overseas opportunities may be on the radar as well."
Timmins could not be reached for comment, and Ruske said she was not in a position to comment much either.
However, she said it would be an enormous blow for the Nuggets if Timmins decided against returning.
"Sam bleeds blue and gold and he loves playing down here and it means a lot to him," Ruske said.
"But life changes, circumstances change. His partner has a job as a lawyer up in Auckland and so there are life changes for him which might factor in to where he wants to play next year."
Timmins has a storied Nuggets’ career.
He became the youngest player to debut for the franchise when he took the court as a 15-year-old in 2013.
Nuggets great Mark Dickel, who was previously the youngest player to debut for the team, hit Timmins with a pass that night and Timmins made the lay-up to score his first points in the NBL.
Timmins’ basketball journey took him to the United States, where he played college basketball for the Washington Huskies
He had a season with the Canterbury Rams before he departed for the States, and a stint with the Franklin Bulls when he returned in 2020.
But his heart was always with Otago and he returned in 2021.
The following season, he played a starring role to help the Nuggets claim their first NBL title proper.
His departure, if it eventuates, will be sorely felt.
Any talk of Perth Wildcats forward Hyrum Harris shaping up as a replacement was just that — talk.
It was confirmed late yesterday afternoon that Harris has signed with the Wellington Saints. But because of the Wildcats’ link with the Nuggets — they are both owned by the financially embattled Sport Entertainment Group (SEG) — Harris was quickly linked to the Nuggets.
Ruske was able to offer some comfort about the Nuggets’ financial future despite SEG’s issues.
"Craig Hutchison [SEG chief executive] had an all-staff meeting on [the financial pressures] and reassured everyone.
"Their last quarterlies are all tracking ahead of budget, so as far as I know everything is good and we’re certainly tracking like we’re good. There are no concerns at my end."
The Nuggets were owned by the Basketball Otago Association until that organisation ran into financial trouble in at the end of 2014.
The team went into a hiatus for five seasons and re-emerged in 2020.
The Nuggets’ playing licence was acquired by Sports Entertainment Network New Zealand, a subsidiary of SEG, in late 2021.
