The $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
The NBA season tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.
They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth
Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.
After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.
Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation
Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.
Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group
Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.
Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.
Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.
What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.
