Those $150m Players Transforming a Highlight Machine

This year's NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.