Those A$150 Million Men Transforming a Highlight Machine

This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for 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 play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.