The NBL remains in possession of the Hawks license after former owner Simon Stratford relinquished ownership a fortnight ago, once again plunging the club into voluntary administration.

In contrast to past struggles, a number of parties have expressed interest in taking ownership of the league's only foundation franchise, with Ball's joint bid with Illawarra business figure Tory Lavalle considered the front-runner.

Ball's manager Jermaine Jackson grabbed global headlines when labeled the bid a "done deal" on ESPN in the US, with the NBL since pouring cold water on the claim.

The potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick remains in the hunt with Lavalle, with the NBL looking to make a final decision on the ownership prior to free agency which opens on May 1.

READ MORE: NBL look to take Hawks show on the road

Ball's arrival in Wollongong brought unprecedented attention to the Hawks brand but, speaking on ABC Grandstand, Saville said the nature of his abrupt departure leaves him skeptical of his ownership bid.

"For me personally, I don't think so," Saville said when asked if it would be the right move for the Hawks.

"It's just my opinion. I don't know what's going on with that whole situation, I'm just taking in what everyone else is taking in through the media.

"It was great when he came into our competition, it did a lot for the crowds, it did a lot for our local community, but at the end of the day, he left the club without the club and the players even knowing about it after being injured for more than half the season.

"If he was that interested in being involved in our club, why would he just jump on a plane and head back to US without actually telling anyone he was leaving?"

Ball averaged 17 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in 12 games with the Hawks - including back to back triple-doubles in his final two outings - before being sidelined with a foot injury.

He began rehab in Wollongong before abruptly leaving for the US before the season was out, with Stratford and teammates confirming they were unaware of his departure until news of it appeared in the media.

Saville said he understood the attention the bid brought, but questioned the motives of the 18-year-old and his camp.

"We haven't actually heard from him," Saville said.

"I haven't seen any quotes from him, I've heard some quotes from his manager saying he would love to be involved with the club.

"The idea of owning a sporting team... is that coming from him, his management, is it coming from his father (LaVar)? Whoever it's coming from I just don't think its the right fit for me personally.

"He's going over to play an NBA season when everything gets up and running again. He's going to be playing an 82-game season I don't know how much commitment he's going to have in regards to running a club or being involved in running the club personally."

Saville, who played an unmatched 527 games for the Hawks and skippered the franchise to its only championship in 2001, also questioned whether Ball really understood the DNA of the foundation club.

"It's great from a media perspective that it came out in the papers that he wanted to buy the team and he wanted to be involved in it but I don't think he totally understands the legacy that is involved with Illawarra, me having been involved in it for 25 years," he said.

"There's other fans and people that have been involved a lot longer than that, there's long legacy and a long history with this club. I'm not sure he understands it."