Those $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
This year's NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth
Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.
Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step
The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.
Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.
After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat
Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.
Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group
Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.
In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.
Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe
Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies 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 win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on landing one more league deal.
What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.
