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Some 14 Australians will suit up in the 2024/25 NBA season, from injury-dogged superstar Ben Simmons to new draftee Johnny Furphy.
A LOOK AT THE 14 AUSTRALIANS PLAYING IN THE NBA THIS SEASON
Ben Simmons - Brooklyn Nets
Injuries have conspired against Simmons since his arrival from Philadelphia, the former top draft pick managing only 57 games over the past three seasons. Last campaign, he played only 15 games. But Simmons looked good in a pre-season beat-up on Washington and has spoken about feeling healthy following his troubling run of back issues. At his best, he's one of the NBA's strongest defenders and most clear-minded creators for his teammates - the question remains, how much longer are we going to have to wait to see his best again?
Josh Giddey - Chicago Bulls
Giddey has the chance for a fresh start after a disappointing third and final year in Oklahoma City. He's spent the off-season battling an ankle injury suffered at the Olympics but is expected to suit up for tip-off after playing significant minutes in the Bulls' pre-season games. Defence remains a big area of improvement for Giddey, but his basketball IQ makes him an enticing prospect for a youthful Bulls side.
Josh Green - Charlotte Hornets
Left runners-up Dallas Mavericks as part of the NBA's first-ever six-team trade, learning the news in bed in the early hours of the morning in Australia. A gifted three-and-D player, he can expect more chances to make his mark offensively stepping out of the shadow of Mavs stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving at the rebuilding Hornets. The move comes with a big payday for Green, whose $A61 million three-year contract makes him the league's second-highest paid Aussie behind Simmons.
Dyson Daniels - Atlanta Hawks
The Bendigo native has set himself the lofty goal of making the NBA All-Defensive Team in his first season since being traded from New Orleans. Averaged the 10th-most steals in the NBA last season and joins a Hawks team in need of some defensive punch around the perimeter. Showcased some solid shooting from deep at the Paris Olympics and needs to hit the ground running as a handful of Hawks players come into the season under injury clouds.
Joe Ingles - Minnesota Timberwolves
Heads into the season as the likeliest Australian to win a championship this season - at least on paper. The Wolves made it to the western conference finals last season but lost to eventual runners-up Dallas and are among title fancies again. The 37-year-old has shaped as a reliable role-player in recent years, good for some organisation in the second unit and shots from deep. The NBA's 10th oldest player this season.
Patty Mills - Utah Jazz
The Boomers captain took the last spot on the Jazz's 15-man roster after bouncing from Atlanta to Miami last season. He's tasked with mentoring a young Jazz side expecting plenty out of Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks, and hopefully providing some handy minutes from the bench as required. Mills, 36, is a strong three-point shooter but has had limited chances to showcase his best over the past two seasons.
Dante Exum - Dallas Mavericks
Injury-plagued Exum's return to the NBA was one of the feel-good stories of the 2023/24 season, and almost ended in championship glory. But his follow-up campaign will be hampered by yet another injury blow, the 29-year-old set to miss up to three months with a serious wrist issue that required surgery.
Johnny Furphy - Indiana Pacers
Australia's sole draftee this year, taken by San Antonio with the 35th pick before being traded to the Pacers. He's also the youngest active Australian in the NBA at only 19, having left the University of Kansas following his freshman year, so is likely to need time before seeing significant minutes on the floor. Missed all of the Pacers' pre-season games with an ankle injury.
Matisse Thybulle - Portland Trail Blazers
One of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, Thybulle is aiming to shoot the three ball better in his third campaign with the Blazers, and last before free agency. A minor knee injury means he will need to wait a few weeks for his first minutes since being controversially snubbed from Australia's Olympic team in Paris.
Duop Reath - Portland Trail Blazers
The big man was one of Portland's big success stories last year, going from an NBA deal, to an NBA discard and then a two-way contract in a matter of days at the beginning of the season. He managed to force his way into the rotation and make 20 starts among his 68 appearances. But Reath may not have as many chances to shine as starting centre Robert Williams III returns to fitness.
Jock Landale - Houston Rockets
The arrival of Kiwi big man Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun's return to fitness are set to push Landale down the depth chart after a hot-and-cold first season with the Rockets. A pre-season ankle injury worked against Landale on arrival from Phoenix, but the big man is back to full fitness and ready to serve as a reliable back-up - the role he played to perfection at the Suns.
Jack McVeigh - Houston Rockets
In line for an NBA debut after a superb NBL season with champions Tasmania earned him a two-way contract to split time between the Rockets and G League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Blessed with precise shooting from deep, he loves standing up in the big moments, memorably winning game three of the NBL finals for the JackJumpers with a shot from near the half-court.
Alex Ducas - Oklahoma City Thunder
Went undrafted in June but the Geraldton native subsequently picked up a two-way contract to work with both the Thunder and G League side OKC Blue. Skilled forward who graduated from Saint Mary's - the same college attended by countrymen Mills, Landale and Matthew Dellavedova.
Luke Travers - Cleveland Cavaliers
Full circle moment for Travers, who was selected by Cleveland with a second-round draft pick in 2022 before returning to the NBL without playing an NBA game. Has played with the Cavs in each of the last three Summer Leagues and now holds a two-way contract.
