🔗 Share this article

This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off 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 Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, 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 the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players 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 minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.