🔗 Share this article

The NBA season tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes 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

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.