🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA season begins now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

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 player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite 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 former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position 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 spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.