🔗 Share this article

The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising 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 Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option 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 year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam 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 long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA 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 Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start 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 consistent action if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players 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 aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.