The $150m Men Evolving into a Highlight Machine

This year's NBA campaign starts now, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful 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 subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected 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 contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

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