The A$150 Million Men Evolving into a Highlight Machine

The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign 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 below league average last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.