🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball 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 emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. 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. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler 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, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss 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 action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed 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 slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot 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 workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.