🔗 Share this article

The NBA season begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper 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 continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays 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 logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell 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 NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start 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 minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.