This year's NBA campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.
They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.
After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.
Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.
Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.
Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.
After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.
Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.
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 appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.
Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.
If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more league deal.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.
A software engineer and tech writer passionate about open-source projects and AI advancements.
