🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including 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 protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season 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 without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems 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. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.