🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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 recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks 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 topped the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. 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 mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected 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 second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres 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 off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer 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 give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.