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Maker's back in NBA mix, Simmons 'here again, ready'

3 minute read

Thon Maker has earned a second NBA crack with Houston in a squad that also features Jock Landale and Jack McVeigh, while Patty Mills is settling into Utah life.

Thon Maker's gone around the world for another NBA shot, Houston offering the centre a second chance in a squad that also includes Jock Landale and Jack McVeigh.

The much-hyped Maker was drafted at No.10 by Milwaukee in 2016 and spent five seasons bouncing between three clubs before falling out of NBA favour.

Since then he's played in Jerusalem, the G League, China and most recently Lebanon, in June named FIBA West Asia Super League MVP after helping Al Riyadi Club Beirut win the championship in June.

Maker is on an Exhibit 10 deal at Houston, a non-guaranteed, one-year minimum salary contract.

Not selected for Australia's extended squad for the Paris Olympics, the South Sudanese native then ran out of time in his attempt to be cleared to represent his homeland in their Games debut.

There are 14 other Australians signed to NBA clubs or their G-League equivalents, including St Mary's college graduate Alex Ducas, the guard undrafted only for Oklahoma City to offer him a two-way deal.

Maligned three-time All-Star Ben Simmons says he's "here again, ready to go" after back issues kept him to just 15 games for Brooklyn last season.

"It's hard to go out and do things you know you're not capable of physically, and mentally it's draining," Simmons said ahead of the season's October 23 tip-off.

"It's (the goal) staying healthy, and everything else will take care of itself.

"People forget me as a player when I'm healthy.

"I can play basketball, I'm pretty good, right?"

Veteran Boomers Patty Mills and Joe Ingles have landed in Utah and Minnesota respectively, both with assignments to provide leadership and a steadying hand on and off the court.

Ingles broke three-point shooting records during his eight seasons at the Jazz before stints in Milwaukee, Orlando and now with the title-chasing Timberwolves.

"It's about being in a good, fun situation and winning," Ingles, who will live away from his Orlando-based family this season, said.

It's clear his teammates, including fellow former Jazz men Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, know what they're getting in the Australian veteran.

"Everything about his game is built towards his brain and how he can utilise that and kind of be smarter than you," Conley said.

Mills, in his first day in Utah, was quick to clarify he would offer something a little different than his old Boomers mate.

"I've learned about this place a lot through my relationship with Joe," he said.

"When I got here, it felt like I knew a lot of people (but) I'm not Joe Ingles so I hope everyone doesn't expect me to be that humour, sarcastic, trash-talking Joe Ingles.

"But, I'm very excited to be another Aussie in Utah."

AUSSIES IN THE NBA:

Dyson Daniels (Atlanta), Alex Ducas (Oklahoma City), Dante Exum (Dallas), Johnny Furphy (Indiana), Josh Giddey (Chicago), Josh Green (Charlotte), Joe Ingles (Minnesota), Jock Landale, Jack McVeigh, Thon Maker (Houston), Patty Mills (Utah), Duop Reath, Matisse Thybulle (Portland), Ben Simmons (Brooklyn), Luke Travers (Cleveland).