Those $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
This year's NBA season begins now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth
After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.
After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.
Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth
The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per game higher than the total of second place.
Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality 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 on the table.
Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.
Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group
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 opening 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 play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.
Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles
Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.
Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies 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 win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal
Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing another league deal.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.
