Those $150m Men Evolving into a Highlight Machine

This year's NBA season begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender 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 enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening 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 play regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players 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 win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.