Josh Giddey will be one of nine Aussies to suit up in the 2026/27 NBA season. Photo: AP PHOTO
Ben Simmons’ devastating injury has destroyed his comeback attempt with the Sacramento Kings and left Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey as the biggest Australian name in the NBA this season.
* Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks
Opportunities abound for Daniels after he excelled as a ball-carrier last season and underlined his status as one of the league’s premier defensive players. But shooting, by his own admission, is an area where the Bendigo product must improve if he is to take his game to another level.
* Johnny Furphy – Indiana Pacers
A torn right anterior cruciate ligament ruined Furphy’s second season in the league, but he’s making significant strides in his recovery. Turning 22 in December, Furphy has showed glimpses of his athletic best with an array of eye-catching dunks on the college and professional stages and is expected to return about half-way through the fresh campaign.
* Josh Giddey – Chicago Bulls
Giddey is fast closing in on Michael Jordan’s franchise record for triple-doubles and is poised to take his game to a new level after recovering from off-season ankle surgery. The 24-year-old playmaker – in the second year of a four-year, $100 million deal – will operate under new coach Tiago Splitter this season and is set to benefit from the addition of No.4 draft pick Caleb Wilson to the line-up.
Dyson Daniels has put in the minutes during practice and pre-season games to improve his shooting. (AP PHOTO)
Traded twice in the off-season, Green follows in the footsteps of fellow Australians Joe Ingles, Dante Exum and Patty Mills by joining the Jazz. There is a watch on where he fits into Will Hardy’s line-up, with the likes of Ace Bailey and Lauri Markkanen competing for minutes. Green has an expiring contract, making the 3-and-D wing an attractive trade deadline target, so don’t be surprised if he is traded again this season.
* Jock Landale – Atlanta Hawks
Relished his trade to Atlanta midway through last season and is back with the team on a one-year deal, having posting career-best numbers before an ankle injury kept him out of the playoffs. Landale will hope to break into the Hawks’ starting line-up, but is also another Australian who looms as a valuable trade piece because of his expiring contract.
* Tyrese Proctor – Cleveland Cavaliers
Soaking up everything he can from teammates and fellow guards James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, the second-year talent has added size and stature after an encouraging 50-game rookie season. Expected to have a role as a back-up playmaker.
Veteran centre Jock Landale will again prove an important piece in Atlanta’s puzzle. (AP PHOTO)
* Duop Reath – Phoenix Suns
Upgraded to a two-way contract after securing a training deal with the Phoenix Suns, Reath can play no more than 50 NBA games this season. But the smooth-moving Boomers centre, who left South Sudan’s civil war for Australia when he was nine, has earned his shot after injury scuppered last year’s campaign with Portland.
* Matisse Thybulle – Los Angeles Lakers
Poised to own an important bench role after the former Portland talent signed a one-year deal at the high-profile club. Shooting at better than 41 per cent from beyond the arc in the last two seasons, Thybulle’s elite defence will complement the offence of guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Healthy again after knee and ankle injuries limited him to 45 games across the last two seasons.
* Rocco Zikarsky – Minnesota Timberwolves
The fifth-tallest player in the NBA at 221cm, the Brisbane talent dominated for G League outfit Iowa last season. He remains on a two-way contract and will likely spend most of his time with the affiliate, although the departures of Naz Reid and Julius Randle have created potential backup centre NBA minutes.
* Ben Simmons – Sacramento Kings
Had tongues wagging after strong pre-season form and was a likely starter for Sacramento before an Achilles rupture put a line through his 2026 campaign. The nature of Simmons’ injury means his contract is guaranteed until he is healthy again. It means the Kings will likely keep him on the books ahead of a potential trade.
Australian Associated Press
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