This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.
Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.
They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth
After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years 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 pay top dollar 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, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.
Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation
Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.
After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.
Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group
Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.
Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles
Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.
