The National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.
They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.
Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.
Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, 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 three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.
Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe 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.
Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.
Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal 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 slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.
Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured 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 development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.
Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.
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