Those A$150 Million Players Evolving into a Human Highlight Reel

The National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’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 protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, 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 pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual 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 chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie 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 Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.