Those A$150 Million Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine

The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ 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 top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey 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 praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene 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 label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls 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 Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.