🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed 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 starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. 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 dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.