Those $150m Men Transforming a Human Highlight Reel

This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts now, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.