🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start 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 consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players 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 aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram 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.