Those $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
This year's NBA season starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies 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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself
Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.
After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season 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 year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.
Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation
Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.
Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group
Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign 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 consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.
Australian NBA Players On the Fringe
Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.
Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing 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 posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.