The $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself
After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player'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 topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of second place.
Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.
After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.
Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group
Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for 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 team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.
Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe
Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.