🔗 Share this article

The National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.