Those $150m Players Transforming a Highlight Machine
The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.
Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.
They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes 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 Out to Prove Himself
After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.
After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.
Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet
Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.
In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.
Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles
Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.
Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.
