🔗 Share this article

This year's NBA campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland 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 late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

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

In the Trail Blazers, 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 teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.