🔗 Share this article

The National Basketball Association season starts now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per match higher than the total of second place.

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

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. 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 slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis 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 youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.