🔗 Share this article

The National Basketball Association season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres 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

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey 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 Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, 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 On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana 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 slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances 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 lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, 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 allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then 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 focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.