Those $150m Men Evolving into a Highlight Machine

The NBA campaign starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched 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 shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player 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 all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening 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 teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.