Those $150m Players Evolving into a Highlight Machine
The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.
This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.
But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.
Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth
Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, 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 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.
Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.
Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step
Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.
Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.
Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch
Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led 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 slam dunk competition could be on the table.
Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot
Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken 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 Veteran Quintet
Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.
In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.
In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.
Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles
Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.
Rookie 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 Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts
Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.
What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.
