The $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine

This year's National Basketball Association season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring 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 identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality 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 a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player 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 left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.