🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. 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, 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

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, 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 improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies 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 aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

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 recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.