🔗 Share this article

The NBA season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country'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, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year 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 in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition 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 lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, 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 G-League team. Other rookies 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 hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor 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 posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.