🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from 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

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

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

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.