The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – 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 emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.
They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.
Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.
Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.
Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.
After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.
Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems 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 the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.
Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.
