🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA campaign begins now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city 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 three per game – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality 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.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make 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 exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems 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. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.