Ranking every Aussie in the NBA for 2025-26

The 2025–26 NBA season opens with a record number of Australians across rosters. It's a reflection of how far the country's basketball pipeline has come, producing players who contribute in every role imaginable. Here's how the 13 Aussies in the NBA stack up heading into the new season, based on form, opportunity, and long-term upside. https://twitter.com/bouncepassau/status/1980769408382562701 Josh Giddey Chicago Bulls http://gty.im/2165544585 All eyes in Chicago are on Josh Giddey as he begins a new chapter under a $100 million deal that cements him as the centrepiece of the Bulls' future. After the mid-season trade of Zach LaVine last year, Giddey thrived in a full-time lead-guard role, posting near triple-double numbers while finally showing comfort as a perimeter shooter. The Bulls' plan is clear enough: push the pace, let Giddey dictate tempo, and surround him with runners and shooters like Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and new addition Isaac Okoro. When things are working smoothly, Chicago can look like a top-10 offence; when it doesn't, Giddey's defensive limitations and streaky outside shot still show through. His deal is structured to age well under a rising salary cap, but the question remains whether he can grow from stat-stuffer to true franchise cornerstone. At 23, Giddey already has the vision; now he needs the consistency to turn Chicago's endless “play-in potential” into something real. Dyson Daniels Atlanta Hawks http://gty.im/2160559204 Fresh off a breakout campaign that earned him the NBA's Most Improved Player award and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team, Dyson Daniels enters the new season not just as a rising star, but as Atlanta's defensive anchor. The 22-year-old guard's four-year, $100 million ($154 million AUD) extension cements him among Australia's highest-paid athletes; a reflection of both his elite defensive production and the faith the Hawks have in his long-term growth. Last season, Daniels led the league in steals and deflections, earning the nickname “The Great Barrier Thief” for his relentless on-ball pressure and ability to disrupt elite scorers night after night. Now, with Kristaps Porzingis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker joining the roster, he'll have more support on the defensive end, freeing him to expand his offensive game. Averaging 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists a year ago, Daniels is focused on becoming a more assertive scorer and faster decision-maker, especially when teams give him open looks. Jock Landale Memphis Grizzlies http://gty.im/2165563778 After years of carving out minutes across San Antonio, Phoenix, and Houston, Jock Landale finally has the starting role he's been waiting for. Landale will open the 2025-26 season as Memphis' starting centre, stepping in while Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, and Jaren Jackson Jr recover from injuries. It's a long-overdue chance for a player who has built his NBA identity on screens, hustle, and toughness rather than highlights. Landale fits seamlessly into the Grizzlies' “grit and grind” identity, setting bruising picks for Ja Morant, finishing out of the short roll, and doing the work that frees others to shine. After years of being buried behind other bigs, he's landed in a system that values effort and continuity, with a locker room full of long-tenured teammates and a coaching staff that prizes reliability. Landale's job won't be to score 20 a night; it's to give Memphis stability inside, bring physicality on both ends, and make every possession just a little easier for those around him, a role he's more than ready to own. Matisse Thybulle Portland Trail Blazers http://gty.im/2160224714 Long regarded as one of the league's top defenders, Matisse Thybulle is now stepping into a new chapter of his career, one that may broaden his impact in the NBA. After missing most of last season with an injury, Thybulle returned late in the year and quietly produced some of the best numbers of his career, shooting nearly 44% from three over 15 games while providing his trademark defensive energy. A two-time All-Defensive Team selection and Olympic bronze medallist with the Boomers, Thybulle remains one of the league's most disruptive perimeter defenders, using his wingspan and anticipation to wreak havoc in passing lanes. But with Portland rebuilding and Thybulle on an expiring, team-friendly contract, his future feels fluid. If he can keep combining efficient shooting with his trademark defence, playoff contenders searching for a reliable 3-and-D wing will likely take notice before the trade deadline. Johnny Furphy Indiana Pacers http://gty.im/1953957399 After a quiet rookie season spent learning the pace and physicality of the NBA, Johnny Furphy enters his second year in Indiana with a genuine chance to make an impact. The 20-year-old Australian wing impressed over the summer with improved strength, sharper decision-making, and flashes of the athleticism that made him a viral Summer League standout. With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season and multiple rotation spots suddenly open, Furphy's development has become a timely opportunity for both player and team. He's added size to withstand NBA contact, focused on consistency as a catch-and-shoot threat, and shown promise defensively with active hands and effort in space. Indiana's depth on the perimeter means earning minutes won't come easily, but this “gap year” for the Pacers could fast-track his growth. If Furphy can pair reliable shooting with disciplined defence, he has the tools to solidify himself as one of Australia's next long-term NBA contributors. Duop Reath Portland Trail Blazers http://gty.im/2165547782 Now entering his third NBA season, Duop Reath continues to embody reliability in a league that often overlooks it. Reath has earned a fully guaranteed $2.2 million deal with Portland, a testament to his steady play and professionalism, but will again face a crowded frontcourt rotation. With DeAndre Ayton gone, Reath sits behind Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III, yet his ability to stretch the floor at the five keeps him in the mix for meaningful minutes. A career 32 per cent three-point shooter, he fits neatly into Portland's five-out schemes, providing spacing, short-roll passing, and offensive balance for a young team still searching for consistency. While not a rim protector in the traditional sense, Reath's versatility allows Portland to toggle between defensive looks without sacrificing shooting. It's a contract year and a pivotal moment. If he continues to deliver efficient, team-first basketball in limited minutes, he could quietly become a stabilising presence for the rebuilding Blazers. Josh Green Charlotte Hornets http://gty.im/2163923606 Josh Green's move to Charlotte was meant to mark a fresh start, but a lingering shoulder injury has delayed the chance to show it. Green underwent surgery in June and remains without a firm return date, leaving the Hornets cautious with his recovery. When healthy, Green brings the kind of defensive versatility and efficient shooting that fits seamlessly next to creators like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. He shot well from deep last season while averaging just over seven points per game, carving out a reputation as a disciplined, team-oriented wing who thrives in motion-heavy offences. The challenge now lies in timing. Charlotte's roster is getting younger, and No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel is expected to claim a major role on the wing. Still, Green's experience and two-way steadiness give him a clear path back into the rotation once he's healthy. For a Hornets team trying to find its identity, his mix of composure and defensive grit could prove invaluable as the season settles in. Dante Exum Dallas Mavericks http://gty.im/2126142518 For Dante Exum, the question has never been about talent; it's about availability. The 30-year-old guard remains one of Dallas' most reliable two-way options when healthy, capable of stabilising the second unit with his size, defence, and improved shooting. Over his two seasons with the Mavericks, Exum has averaged career highs across the board while shooting efficiently from deep and providing steady playmaking. But repeated injuries, from wrist and hand surgeries to lingering knee soreness that's already sidelined him this preseason, have kept his impact from being fully realised. Exum re-signed on a one-year deal as a bet on both sides: Dallas values his versatility, while he's determined to prove he can stay on the court. Joe Ingles Minnesota Timberwolves http://gty.im/2185289808 At 38, Joe Ingles has long moved beyond chasing minutes and statistics; his value now lies in everything that happens off the box score. Entering his 12th NBA season and second with Minnesota, the veteran forward has fully embraced his role as a mentor and steadying voice in a locker room filled with rising talent. While he appeared in just 19 games last season, the Timberwolves re-signed him for exactly what he brings behind the scenes: leadership, calm, and a rare sense of perspective. Ingles has become a de facto assistant coach, guiding players like Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and rookie Rocco Zikarsky through the nuances of the game and life in the NBA. His willingness to adapt, to teach rather than play, has made him one of the most respected figures on the roster. For a Timberwolves team with championship ambitions, Ingles' presence provides something every contender needs: experience, composure, and a voice that players actually listen to. Tyrese Proctor Cleveland Cavaliers http://gty.im/2206689873 Cleveland may have found a hidden gem in Tyrese Proctor. The Sydney native has wasted little time proving he belongs, impressing coaches and teammates alike with his poise and playmaking in his first NBA preseason. After a three-year stint at Duke, where his role shifted from lead guard to off-ball shooter, Proctor now looks freer and more confident than ever. The Cavaliers handed him a four-year deal, a rare security for a late second-round pick. Early signs suggest it was a smart investment. At 6'5, he's shown the ability to handle the ball, create shots off the dribble, and space the floor with composure beyond his years. While breaking into a deep guard rotation behind Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Lonzo Ball won't be easy, Proctor's maturity and adaptability make him an intriguing long-term fit. He's not expected to play heavy minutes right away, but his blend of size, shooting, and steady decision-making has Cleveland quietly optimistic they may have drafted one of the steals of his class. Luke Travers Cleveland Cavaliers (two-way) http://gty.im/2119882552 Now in his second year on a two-way deal with Cleveland, Luke Travers continues to make steady progress toward a permanent NBA role. Travers has established himself as a versatile forward capable of doing a bit of everything: scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, while holding his own defensively across multiple positions. After dominating with the Cavaliers' G League affiliate last season, where he averaged near triple-double numbers, Travers returns with renewed focus on translating that production to the next level. His defensive versatility remains his calling card, allowing him to guard anywhere from guards to small-ball centres, and his unselfish style fits Cleveland's system of ball movement and switching schemes. While roster depth means he'll likely split time again between the Cavaliers and the Charge, the franchise's decision to retain him for another year signals genuine belief in his long-term potential. Alex Toohey Golden State Warriors (two-way) http://gty.im/2197171948 Alex Toohey enters his rookie season with Golden State as one of Australia's most intriguing long-term prospects, a forward with a balanced, team-first game. The Rookie was drafted 52nd overall and signed a two-way contract, splitting between the Warriors and their G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz to refine his conditioning, shooting, and finishing to fit into Steve Kerr's high-tempo system. After starring for the Sydney Kings and earning the NBL's Next Generation Award, Toohey arrives with a reputation for defensive awareness and steady two-way play rather than flash. His ability to guard multiple positions, read the floor, and make smart cuts already aligns with Golden State's motion-heavy offence. However, consistent perimeter shooting will be key to unlocking a bigger NBA role. Toohey may not have a singular elite skill yet, but his combination of size, IQ, and adaptability gives the Warriors another developmental piece perfectly suited to their style. Lachlan Olbrich Chicago Bulls (two-way) http://gty.im/2206456859 Lachlan Olbrich's rise from NBL breakout star to the NBA draft has been one of Australian basketball's most unexpected success stories. Selected 55th overall in the 2025 Draft and now on a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls, the Adelaide native brings the kind of high-IQ game that fits the team's system. After helping Illawarra capture its first NBL title in two decades, Olbrich impressed scouts with his blend of craft, physicality, and playmaking instincts, traits that made him stand out at the G League Elite Camp and Draft Combine. Though undersized for a traditional big man, he makes up for it with creativity in the paint, sharp passing, and the ability to initiate offence through screens and handoffs. Most of his rookie season will be spent developing with the Windy City Bulls, but injuries in Chicago's frontcourt could open doors sooner than expected. With his work ethic, touch around the rim, and familiarity with coach Billy Donovan's system, Olbrich is well-placed to follow the same path as fellow Aussies who turned two-way opportunities into lasting NBA roles.

Ranking every Aussie in the NBA for 2025-26

Ranking all 13 Australian players in the NBA as the new season tips off.

8Dante Exum

Dallas Mavericks

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