Those A$150 Million Men Transforming a Human Highlight Reel

This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract 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 perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in Memphis 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 young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery 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 colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other 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 aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.