🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable 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.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season 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 find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.