WEST Coast star Nic Naitanui can't contribute on-field for a while but that hasn't stopped his off-field profile from receiving another boost.

The ruckman recently featured on US gossip website TMZ. 

During the Eagles' three-week break over Christmas, Naitanui flew to the US in his bid to recover from a right knee reconstruction and potentially return this year.

In that time, he has met with Australian basketballer and Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons.  

That came amid reports he spent New Year's with the man many argue is the greatest basketball player of all time, Los Angeles Laker LeBron James, and musician Drake.