🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA season begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks 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 attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers 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 seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.