The NBA season tips off now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.
After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.
Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful 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 subpar last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.
Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.
After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.
Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.
In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. 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 head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.
Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.
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