Those $150m Players Transforming a Human Highlight Reel

This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from 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

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession 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 long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, 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 problem and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.