🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, 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 Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing 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 team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team become 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 off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing 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.