In an interview with Melbourne radio station SEN, Kestelman said negotiations ongoing over a new Hawks' ownership model, led by a bid including potential No.1 NBA draft pick LaMelo Ball and Illawarra businessman Tory Lavalle.

Kestelman also confirmed the NBL want to take games to Canberra whenever the 2020-21 season begins at the end of the COVID-19 crisis.

However, he did reveal Newcastle were pushing to host Hawks games, emerging as a likely option instead of Darwin or Tasmania.

"There's a lot of interest out of Newcastle and I think sometimes we forget that all of regional NSW is almost as big as Melbourne," he said.

Ball played 12 games for the Hawks, who crashed to a 5-23 record to finish last on the NBL ladder, before leaving in January after sustaining a foot injury.

Earlier this month, the Mercury exclusively revealed Ball and manager Jermaine Jackson were in advanced talks with the NBL to take over the club, which has been delayed as the club was plunged into voluntary administration again, when Simon Stratford handed back the licence. It is believed the Hawks could take as many as four games on the road next season.

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Meanwhile a new taskforce, led by Kestelman and Basketball Australia chief executive Ned Coten will investigate business and government financial support to manage the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the NBL and grassroots basketball.

"Unlike other codes, basketball cannot fall back on revenue from television if restrictions are still in place to crowds and would need assistance," Kestelman said in a statement.

"We are not seeking special priority but rather simply asking not to be forgotten to ensure we can continue to deliver the sport that we and so many Australians love."