Those $150m Men Evolving into a Highlight Machine
The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth
After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, 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
The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.
Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.
After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.
Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group
Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.
In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.
In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.
Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video 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 break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.