🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ 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.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. 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 full steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season 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 keep enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on 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.