The NBA campaign starts now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.
They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including 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 Out to Prove Himself
After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable 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 much to prove.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career 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 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 Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.
Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet
Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.
Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.
Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.
