🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.