🔗 Share this article

The National Basketball Association season tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.