Friday, 7 December 2018:

ANDREW BOGUT #66 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses during media day in El Segundo, California.

Australia's first No.1 NBA draft pick Andrew Bogut says he'll understand if Ben Simmons doesn't commit to next year's basketball World Cup.

Philadelphia 76ers star Simmons, the second Australian to be taken as the top NBA draft pick, has yet to commit to the tournament in China next August and September.

Bogut played just once at the World Cup, as he sought to preserve his injury-plagued body and empathised with Simmons's situation.

'Benny is in a tricky position, he broke his foot his first year over there (with Philadelphia)," Bogut said.

"There have been times in my career in the NBA where the national team obviously took a back step to getting my body right.

"I know he hasn't had a break for the last two off-seasons, but I feel if he does miss the Worlds Cup, I understand it.

"People will be disappointed, but we haven't got an answer either way on that.

"I know he is very adamant on the Olympics but as far as a World Cup goes, who knows?"

One thing Simmons shouldn't have to worry about the next time he dons an Australian uniform is washing it himself, as Bogut did during his early days in the national team.

Bogut described the first collective bargaining agreement between Basketball Australia and their national teams as "very important".

The agreement provides for provides best-practice travel conditions, improved contract provisions and protections, comprehensive injury insurance, image licensing, funding for player wellbeing and development and a best-in-practice pregnancy and parental policy.

National team players will also secure funding through a revenue share model from key games over the next four years.

'We think it's a great deal for both parties, it holds both parties accountable," said Bogut who was involved in the CBA process as a director of the Australian Basketballers Association.

"First and foremost we have to obviously go out there and perform at a World Cup and an Olympic games.

"But there's also some minimum conditions that us (the Boomers) and the Opals and the junior teams and even the Rollers, that Basketball Australia needs to meet.

"As time went on from the early 2000s when I started (in the national team) it was always 'next year, next year' and 'she'll be right mate, she'll be right mate' attitude with certain things.

"We were doing our own washing when I first joined the national team. We were washing our jerseys in a bathtub with soap so we've come a long way."

AAP