With the 2023/24 NBA season officially underway, there is nearly a dozen Australian NBA players this season.
NBA veterans Patty Mills and Joe Ingles both have fresh starts, while young guns Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels look to take the next step in their careers.
There are currently 11 Australians competing in the NBA, including Kyrie Irving, born in Melbourne but grew up in the U.S. all the way to Duop Reath, who was just signed.
Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey is now in his third NBA season with the OKC Thunder and is looking to take the leap to an All-Star level.
As the Thunder began their journey to playoff success with the likes of MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Rookie Chet Holmgren, Giddey will need to take the leap to the next level to push the Thunder to the playoffs.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons has shown some shades of his former self after returning from injury, now with hopefully a bigger role to play at the Brooklyn Nets.
It would be great to see him return to form and make a push to play for the Boomers in 2024.
Josh Green: Contract Extension
Josh Green has just penned a new deal with the Dallas Mavericks, agreeing to a 3-year $41 million extension.
Green hasn’t broken into the starting line-up yet but has a great opportunity this season to do so and he has shown a lot of potential so far in his career.
Patty Mills: New start at the Hawks
Patty Mills will have a fresh start this season, being traded to the Hawks this off-season.
He has established himself as a solid NBA veteran but will struggle to find minutes this season playing behind the likes of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
Matisse Thybulle
Matisse Thybulle also just signed a new contract extension, valued at $33 million for 3 years, which will take him through to 2026 with the Portland Trailblazers.
After they recently traded Damian Lillard, the Blazers will be looking to develop their young talent, which could mean fewer minutes for Thybulle, or even being traded for draft capital.
Duop Reath: Just signed
After earning a starting role for the Boomers, during the FIBA World Cup, Duop Reath went on to play Summer League and Pre-season for the Trailblazers.
The Blazers ended up signing him to a two-way contract, after averaging 7.8 points, and 4.3 rebounds in 16.8 minutes during four preseason games for the team.
Jock Landale
Jock Landale unfortunately missed the recent FIBA World Cup due to an ankle injury and has moved from Phoenix to the Houston Rockets.
In his first season, he established himself as one of the league’s best backup big men and will be provided plenty of opportunity this season at the rebuilding Rockets.
Dante Exum
Dante Exum has worked himself back into the NBA, after spending two seasons in Europe, the Mavericks picked up the combo-guard and signed him for the next two seasons.
He showed some signs of the Lottery pick he once was and will need to prove himself to earn some minutes for the Mavs.
Joe Ingles
Joe Ingles moved to the Orlando Magic over the off-season, after one season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
He signed a 2-year $22 million with the Magic, opting to take a lesser veteran role to help develop the Magic as they look to push the playoffs.
Dyson Daniels
Dyson Daniels had a solid rookie season with the Pelicans and will have a larger role with the team this season.
He averaged around 20 minutes last season, and this year will hopefully push for a starting role as he takes the next steps in his career.
Xavier Cooks, Jack White, and Makur Maker
Unfortunately, NBL MVP Xavier Cooks was waved by the Washington Wizards, after only playing 10 games for the team.
He is hopeful to be picked up by another NBA team but is reported to sign a deal in the Euroleague if not picked up.
Jack White and Makur Maker were also waived by the OKC Thunder and the Toronto Raptors respectively.
After an NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets, Jack white won’t get an opportunity to play with fellow Australian Josh Giddey.
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