The A$150 Million Players Transforming a Highlight Machine

This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular 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 slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.