🔗 Share this article

The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim 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

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season 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 the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned 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 Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.