Australian basketball legend Joe Ingles has one hell of an itch to scratch after joining Melbourne United on a two-year deal.

Ingles, whose Minnesota Timberwolves were knocked out in the NBA conference semi-finals last weekend, will return to the NBL next season after more than 800 NBA games over 12 years.

The move puts the five-time Olympian among the most decorated Australians ever to play in the NBL, alongside NBA championship winners Andrew Bogut and Matthew Dellavedova.

And while he has little left to prove on court, the 38-year-old competitor is far from satisfied, declaring infrequent court time during a two-year stint with Minnesota had lit a fire inside.

"I don't need the money, I don't need the notoriety and I don't need the presence of coming back, but I want to compete, I want to play and I want to win," Ingles told AAP on Tuesday from Orlando.

"That's what I've missed the last couple of years; that competitiveness of being out on the court.

"I got a taste of it here and there and obviously got to play some big minutes in a couple of games.

"When you do things like that it feels like a bit of a switch and it's like, 'Shit, I can still do this'."

Ingles' age, he insists, should not be an issue in the twilight of a career that has featured just one major injury - a torn anterior cruciate ligament in 2022 - over two decades.

The 203cm forward, renowned for his three-point shooting and ability to bring teammates into the game, adds a wealth of experience and leadership to Melbourne, and is desperate to prove his value on the court.

"There's not going to be any BS to it," Ingles said.

"I'm going to work my arse off, I'm going to be ready and I'm going to earn every minute that they want to play me.

"I don't want to be given anything and I don't want to be handed minutes because of what I've done in previous years. I want to earn it all."

A member of the Boomers' famous Tokyo Olympics bronze medal-winning team in 2021, Ingles is one of Australia's greatest ever players.

He has featured in five Olympics and four FIBA World Cups, as well as eight NBA playoffs campaigns.

Ingles also won a EuroLeague championship among a swag of league and cup titles during a decorated career overseas.

The Adelaide product started his professional career with now-defunct South Dragons in 2006, and won an NBL championship with the club before they folded in 2009.

He was eager to return "home" to Melbourne with Victorian wife Renae and their three children, and had positive talks with South East Melbourne coach Josh King before signing with United.

Ingles joins a Melbourne team that finished fifth last season and is in a state of transition following the departure of championship-winning coach Dean Vickerman, but has immediate success in mind.

"From a basketball perspective, this opportunity really excited me," Ingles said.

"I still love competing, I still love the game, and I believe I can genuinely help this group win.

"I've always loved playing in team-first environments built on toughness, connection and doing the little things well, and I think Melbourne United represents all of that.

"At this stage of my career, it's not about individual achievements. It's about impact, leadership, helping a group come together and chasing something meaningful."

Ingles will link up with long-time Boomers teammate and close friend Chris Goulding on Melbourne's roster for the 2026/27 season.

They are joined by Shea Ili, Sam Waardenburg, Fabijan Krslovic, Kyle Bowen and Dash Daniels, with three import slots still to be filled.