Those $150m Players Evolving into a Human Highlight Reel
This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge 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, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself
Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.
After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city 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 three per game – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.
Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation
Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.
Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June 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 taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet
Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.
In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.
Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles
Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.