The $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.
But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth
Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards 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 enters this season with a point to make.
Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.
Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step
The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of second place.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’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 spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.
Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.
Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet
Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies 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 see regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.
Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe
Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.
Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow 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 aiming to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing another league deal.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.
