Those $150m Players Transforming a Human Highlight Reel
This year's NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – 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 contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.
But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete 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 Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.
After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills 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 his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of second place.
Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.
Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet
Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.
In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.
Australian NBA Players On the Fringe
Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.
Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing another league deal.
Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.
