🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta 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 steals with three per game – over one full steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant 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 advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted 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 make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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 expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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 primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.