The National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.
This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.
They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation 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 campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.
Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game greater 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 elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.
Indiana wing 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 invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.
After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.
Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.
In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
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 deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.
Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies 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 alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.
If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing one more league deal.
Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.
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