🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former 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 Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss 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 action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.