Those $150m Players Transforming a Human Highlight Reel
The NBA season starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies 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 Out to Prove Himself
After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step
Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.
Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.
Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make 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 Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet
Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.
Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles
Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.
Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.
Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.