Those $150m Men Evolving into a Highlight Machine
The National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.
They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself
Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. 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 beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting 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 same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.
Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.
Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation
Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.
Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.
Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet
Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.
In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season 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 returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.
Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.