The $150m Players Evolving into a Human Highlight Reel
The NBA season tips off now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.
Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings 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 Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.
After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step
Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.
Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.
Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation
Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led 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.
After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.
Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group
Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.
Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe
Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.