🔗 Share this article

The National Basketball Association season begins now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing 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 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.