🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster 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 elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.