‘Wasn’t happy’: Rookie reality check; forgotten star’s exile over – Aussies in NBA

It has been an eventful summer season for Australians within the NBA, with 4 gamers switching groups — and within the case of veteran guard Patty Mills, traded thrice already.

The motion will not be over both, with Ben Simmons a reputation to observe in a possible blockbuster three-team deal involving Portland Trail Blazers famous person Damian Lillard.

In the meantime although there may be a lot to compensate for, so right here is the newest on all of the Australian gamers within the NBA and people taking part within the Summer League.

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BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)

The three-time All-Star gained’t be suiting up for the Boomers nevertheless it sounds just like the Nets are quietly optimistic Ben Simmons shouldn’t be distant from being wholesome once more.

Simmons final performed in February earlier than being shut down for the rest of the season as a consequence of a nerve impingement in his again.

Speaking to reporters together with The New York Post final week, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn sounded hopeful on the Australian’s possibilities of being match for coaching camp.

“We’ve had contact for sure. All of our guys have been locked-in, really keeping us informed. … I’m looking forward to a healthy Ben Simmons and coaching him,” Vaughn stated.

“I’m not going to get into any dates or anything. My expectation is I look forward to coaching him healthy and our entire group being able to start the year together and go through training camp together. Those things are important for our group.”

Simmons was a shell of his former self at instances final season at Brooklyn, averaging 6.9 factors whereas making an attempt simply 5.6 area targets per sport.

The defence and playmaking was nonetheless there nevertheless it was clear at instances that Simmons lacked the arrogance — each mentally and bodily — to take care of aggression on the offensive finish.

Simmons nonetheless has practically $78 million ($A117m) left on his five-year, $177 million ($A266m) extension that he signed with the 76ers again in July of 2019.

The Australian has been linked to the Portland Trail Blazers as a possible commerce piece in a transfer for star guard Damian Lillard, though it might probably must contain a 3rd staff.

Heat insider Greg Sylvander reported final week that “one challenge in negotiations” has been the very fact Brooklyn is trying to transfer on Simmons as a part of the deal.

“The sticking point being that no team is particularly interested in taking him so far,” a supply advised Sylvander.

Simmons’ elite defence will surely be a fine addition for the rebuilding Blazers, though with so many query marks round the remainder of his sport Portland could also be higher off constructing round its present younger core.

JOSH GREEN (Dallas Mavericks)

The Dallas Mavericks are able to go all-in once more after a disappointing finish to final season, extending Kyrie Irving in free company and persevering with to construct round Luka Doncic.

Seth Curry and Grant Williams are among the many new names heading to Dallas subsequent season whereas Australian Dante Exum has been rewarded for his spectacular kind in Europe.

How far the Mavericks go may be decided by whether or not a number of the staff’s youthful gamers take one other step and that features Australian Josh Green.

Green will technically be coming into his fourth season within the league, though his first with the Mavericks got here in the course of the bubble the place he averaged simply 11.4 minutes in 39 video games.

The 22-year-old has seen his position steadily develop since then and whereas Green’s defence stays a power, enhancements on offence will decide simply what number of minutes he’ll get.

Green had levels final season the place he flashed his scoring potential, stepping up when both Doncic or Irving had been sidelined to show there may be undoubtedly one thing there to work with.

In truth, Green had considered one of his higher video games of the season with each Doncic and Irving unavailable, exploding for a career-high 29 factors in February towards the Utah Jazz.

The problem for Green although is to discover a solution to carry that confidence over when he’s enjoying with Irving and Doncic, who each excel with their arms on the ball.

It will not be confidence anyway for Green, who’s a pass-first guard who at all times tends to search for an open teammate earlier than making an attempt his personal pictures.

Finding a stability between these pass-first tendencies and being extra egocentric in a good method would be the key for Green’s growth.

Despite a shaky finish to the season, the Mavericks gave Green one other vote of confidence by not buying and selling him in any offers regardless of the Australian being considered one of their extra priceless belongings.

“Sources say that Hawks, who tried in vain to trade No. 15 and John Collins to Dallas for No. 10 and Dāvis Bertāns, told the Mavericks they would surrender Capela only if the Mavericks added swingman Josh Green to the trade,” Stein wrote on his Substack.

“The Mavericks, sources say, rejected that idea like they did all proposals involving Collins.”

ESPN’s MacMahon, in the meantime, reported on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast that the Mavericks additionally requested for Clint Capela.

“My understanding is that the Hawks asked for the Mavericks to throw in Josh Green or Jaden Hardy, which that’s a no-go. Those are young players that the Mavericks really like,” he reported.

DANTE EXUM (Dallas Mavericks)

Green gained’t be the one Australian on the Mavericks roster subsequent season although, with Dante Exum incomes an NBA recall after two years out of the league.

Exum, who was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the fifth general decide again in 2014, had the early levels of his profession disrupted by a string of accidents.

There continues to be a lot left within the 27-year-old, who spent the final two seasons enjoying in Europe, first suiting up for FC Barcelona after which Partizan Belgrade.

Exum performed 38 video games in his 2022-23 marketing campaign for Partizan, averaging 13.2 factors, 2.3 rebounds, and a couple of.7 assists in 23.0 minutes per sport whereas taking pictures 52.0 per cent from the ground and 39.3 per cent from deep.

It is in defence although the place Exum may make an actual influence together with his versatility for a Mavericks staff that was discovered missing on that finish of the ground.

JOCK LANDALE (Houston Rockets)

The Houston Rockets have been one of many extra intriguing groups on this yr’s free company interval, signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks on big-money offers.

Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez was one other goal however when he as a substitute returned to the Bucks on a two-year deal, Houston was pressured to look elsewhere to bolster its defence.

Enter Landale, who signed a four-year, $32 million ($A48m) cope with the rebuilding Rockets to supply much-needed large man depth behind starter Alperen Şengün.

Only the primary yr of the deal is assured although, based on ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, not that that may be a downside for the Australian anyway.

“It was surreal,” Landale stated in an interview with ESPN’s Olgun Uluc.

“It was literally yesterday morning, I don’t know it’s fully set in yet and I don’t know when it will set in. It’s been a whirlwind.

“My phone went bananas kind of and then I just kind of shut down, because it was hard for me to really comprehend the outreach of support and what had just happened. But I’m still playing catch-up in that regard.

“It’s obviously something I’ve been dreaming of doing for a long time: being able to earn my way up to something like that. Now that it’s here, it feels like another day. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing.”

Landale stated Phoenix put qualifying provide ahead and that there have been additionally another smaller offers however nothing to the “magnitude” of the contract Houston supplied.

For the 27-year-old, the Rockets are the perfect touchdown spot given he ought to get constant minutes enjoying behind Şengün — one thing that wasn’t at all times on provide at Phoenix.

“I felt as though I’d worked my way to when I played and when I played heavy minutes, I always produced,” Landale stated.

“And I was like, ‘If I can get the trust of a coach who has the front office behind me, and they’re all kind of supporting the decision, absolutely I believe I can play to that contract’. I think at times, as I said, when I played bigger minutes I have played to that kind of a contract.

“To me, I’m not even thinking about the non-guarantees because at the end of the day, the way people operate in day-to-day life is, ‘You sign a year contract, you see how you operate within that year and then you either get a bigger one, a smaller one or sign the same thing’. To me it feels like I’m kind of maintaining that.

“I also feel that, given it’s non-guaranteed, there’s no ability for me to take my foot off the gas, and I feel that’s really important and kind of plays into my character a bit. I’ve still got to earn everything.

“… When I spoke to Ime [Udoka] he said, ‘You’ve got to come in and earn it, just like everyone else’. I think that’s a healthy style of competition. [I’m] definitely looking forward to that opportunity, but the door’s open, I’ve just got to kind of walk through it.”

Having to earn all the pieces is nothing new for Landale.

It has been a protracted journey up to now already, with stopovers in Europe, the NBL and San Antonio earlier than the Australian ended up on the Suns final season.

The transfer to Phoenix was precisely what Landale wanted as he flashed his potential in each likelihood he obtained splitting time within the backup centre position alongside Bismack Biyombo.

By the postseason Landale had emerged as a key piece of the Suns’ rotation, averaging 6.1 factors, 4.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 blocks and 0.4 steals in 16.1 minutes.

The Australian’s most spectacular efficiency got here in Phoenix’s 127-122 win over eventual NBA champions — the Denver Nuggets — in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-finals sequence.

Landale had eight factors, 5 rebounds, one block and a steal in that sport whereas ending with a game-high plus-minus of +16.

“I give him credit. I think he’s just come into this series and impacted in a positive way. Activity, offensive rebounding, physicality, aggression,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated of Landale forward of Game 4.

“… Role player is a dirty word and I don’t know why. He’s embracing his role and doing really well.”

Now Landale will as soon as once more must embrace an identical position on the rebuilding Rockets, one that he’s greater than keen to tackle even when it doesn’t imply making the spotlight reels.

“That’ll be the message that I will try to impart on everyone,” Landale advised ESPN.

“Every team needs a guy willing to sacrifice their own numbers and bodies and all of that, to go out there and help the superstars get loose and make their lives easier.

“That’s where I’m really handy, and figured that out with KD [Kevin Durant] and Book [Devin Booker], is they needed someone who was willing to do the dirty work for them. That’s the role I see myself sticking in for a long time and I’m completely happy with that. I love it.”

And if Houston followers aren’t already bought on Landale, the very fact he constantly used the phrase ‘we’ when speaking in regards to the Rockets speaks volumes to how shortly he has purchased into his new staff’s imaginative and prescient.

The news of Landale’s new contract definitely got here as a shock to his father Clive, with the Australian sharing a hilarious clip of his response on social media platform TikTookay.

JOE INGLES (Orlando Magic)

From an NBA title contender to an thrilling, younger staff on the rise.

The Magic are coming into a brand new part of their rebuild and have sufficient expertise to start out making some severe noise, headlined by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner together with current draft additions Anthony Black and Jett Howard.

Every younger staff wants a veteran presence although and that’s precisely what Ingles brings as he prepares to enter his tenth yr within the NBA.

Of course, Ingles nonetheless gives a lot greater than that as a profession 40.8 per cent 3-point shooter, which can present much-needed spacing for the younger Magic led by Banchero.

The versatile veteran impressed in his first season again from a torn ACL at Milwaukee, averaging 6.9 factors and three.3 assists per sport whereas taking pictures 40.9 per cent from downtown.

“Joe is a smart, tough player who truly impacts winning in every way,” Magic president Jeff Weltman stated.

“His shooting, playmaking and experience will be a welcome addition to our team.”

ESPN reported the brand new two-year contract is value $22 million ($A33m), with Ingles anticipated to be a number one facilitator for the staff’s bench unit.

PATTY MILLS (Atlanta Hawks)

The veteran guard is on the transfer… once more. In case you missed it, Patty Mills has now been traded to a few groups within the area of simply 10 days.

Mills, who has a $6.8 million ($A10m) expiring contract, was first traded from Brooklyn to Houston earlier than the Rockets offloaded him to Okahoma City.

The prospect of Mills enjoying alongside Josh Giddey and Jack White gave Australian basketball followers but one more reason to get behind the fast-rising Thunder forward of subsequent season.

Unfortunately although Mills was then traded to the Hawks as a part of a deal that sees TyTy Washington, Usman Garuba, Rudy Gay and a second-round decide despatched to the Thunder.

It was reported by ESPN that Atlanta saved $4.5 million ($A6.8m) within the deal, though there may be each likelihood Mills could possibly be on the transfer once more by the tip of the week.

The Boomers hero struggled for sport time at Brooklyn final season, managing simply 40 appearances whereas vaveraging 14.2 minutes.

Mills did shoot 36.6 per cent from deep although and would provide a priceless veteran presence in any NBA locker room, together with Atlanta’s ought to the Hawks select to maintain him.

JOSH GIDDEY (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Not a lot to report right here with Giddey, outdoors of the very fact expectations of the younger guard will solely be even larger after a powerful sophomore marketing campaign.

The 20-year-old as soon as once more proved himself one of many league’s most gifted passers with highlight-reel performs for a Thunder staff that was a shock playoff contender by season’s finish.

Shooting stays a swing ability for Giddey, who definitely made a leap after his first offseason working with Chip Engelland, making 32.5 per cent of his pictures from deep.

Those closing numbers are barely deceptive anyway as Giddey solely grew extra assured in his shot because the season went on, initially taking pictures simply 23.8 per cent in November.

Giddey responded to that early adversity by making 43.2 per cent of his makes an attempt in December and can solely proceed to develop his 3-point taking pictures with extra time underneath Engelland.

The problem for Giddey shall be to as soon as once more rise to the problem that comes with having a higher profile within the NBA, which in fact invitations extra consideration from opposition defences.

If Giddey’s second season within the league is something to go by although, he shall be positive after impressing teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with the changes he made in yr two.

“A lot of guys get better, come back and then you’re the new guy, then teams figure you out and you’re a little bit stagnant but for him to get better throughout the season and continue to improve his game is very impressive,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated.

“Right now he is a world better than he was in the summertime and the year before and I hope and am pretty sure he will continue that growth because the kid works hard.”

Giddey erupted for a 31-point exhibiting towards the Pelicans in his post-season debut and advised reporters in his end-of-season exit interview that taking pictures stays a spotlight in the summertime.

“Shooting the ball is a big one that I’m continuing to work on,” he stated.

“Obviously we made a jump from last season but it is still nowhere near where it needs to be. Getting stronger, I think defensively continuing to take another step in the right direction, ball-handling. There are a lot of things, especially as a 20-year-old, that you have to work on. There is so much room for growth in your game.”

Giddey can also be evidently excited to get on the court docket with Chet Holmgren, the second general decide within the 2022 draft who was sidelined all of final season with a foot damage.

He will even be part of forces with fellow Australian Jack White, who signed a two-year cope with the Thunder after tasting championship success with the Nuggets.

JACK WHITE (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Speaking of White, he has seemingly secured some much-deserved job safety after enjoying on a two-way contract for Denver final season.

The Thunder agreed to signal the Australian ahead to a normal two-year contract, though additional particulars on the contract are but to be made public.

White impressed on each ends for the Nuggets finally yr’s Summer League on the best way to incomes a contract however gained’t be suiting up for the Thunder in Vegas this time round.

White performed simply 17 video games for the Nuggets final season as extra of a depth piece than something, though the Australian impressed coach Michael Malone together with his hustle.

“Toughness, physicality and IQ, it’s in his DNA,” Malone stated.

“Jack White no matter where he’s playing is going to play hard, physical and tough and he also has the ability to step outside and shoot the basketball.”

White was awarded Defensive Player of the Game honours after a standout efficiency in a 109-95 win over the Kings to shut the common season, grabbing eight rebounds within the victory.

The 25-year-old ahead earned extra enjoying time with the Grand Rapids Gold, Denver’s G League affiliate, averaging 20.9 factors, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 33.6 minutes.

MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)

Portland clearly sees Matisse Thybulle as a key piece of its probably rebuild with out Damian Lillard, even when the Australian reportedly most well-liked a transfer to Dallas.

Thybulle signed a three-year, $33 million ($A50m) provide sheet with the Mavericks however the Blazers had been fast to match the provide. How fast precisely?

Well, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Blazers officers made a name to match the sheet and retain him “within an hour” based on sources.

It is all of the proof you want of simply how assured the Blazers are in Thybulle, who they acquired as a part of a commerce with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier than final yr’s deadline.

The 26-year-old is among the league’s high perimeter defenders however the Sixers already knew that once they dealt him.

Thybulle’s struggles on the offensive finish made it onerous for then-coach Doc Rivers to justify giving the Australian large minutes.

The transfer to Portland appears to be precisely what Thybulle wanted although, taking pictures a career-best 38.8 per cent from deep and averaging 7.4 factors in 22 video games for the Trail Blazers — each career-high numbers.

Further enhancements on that finish of the ground will solely add to Thybulle’s worth to a Portland staff that’s anticipated to be very uncooked initially of subsequent season ought to Lillard be traded.

However, Thybulle’s desire was to finish up on the Mavericks based on NBA insiders Marc Stein and Chris Haynes.

“The vibe I’ve gotten is that Thybulle really did want to end up with Dallas,” Stein stated on the newest version of the pair’s #thisleague UNCUT podcast.

“This is something Thybulle’s been wanting even before this summer. Dallas has been talked about as a potential destination. The Mavericks have explored in the past pathways to trade for Thybulle.”

“Matisse desperately wanted to be a member of the Dallas Mavericks,” added Haynes.

The Mavericks put ahead a beautiful deal based on ESPN NBA entrance workplace insider Bobby Marks, together with a 15 per cent commerce bonus and third-year participant possibility.

DYSON DANIELS (New Orleans Pelicans)

For the younger guard out of Bendigo, his second season within the NBA shall be all about confidence.

Daniels has all of the defensive instruments to get minutes for the Pelicans — it’s an enormous purpose why the Australian performed 59 video games and averaged 17.7 minutes in his rookie season.

Of course, accidents additionally performed a job too however New Orleans coach Willie Green had little alternative however to offer the versatile and athletic Daniels a job off the bench.

That position slowly diminished within the latter levels of the common season although and ended with Daniels not seeing any minutes because the Pelicans bowed out within the play-in event.

Going again to confidence, the important thing for Daniels in his sophomore season shall be trusting his sport on the offensive facet of the ball even when the pictures aren’t falling.

It is an identical course of to what Giddey went by means of, though his former NBA Global Academy teammate had the good thing about enjoying larger minutes and together with his arms on the ball extra usually.

Daniels isn’t shying away from these holes in his sport although. It’s why he’s embracing the chance to additional develop his sport on the Summer League.

The 20-year-old led the Pelicans with 18 factors in a 102-88 loss to open their Summer League marketing campaign but additionally dedicated 4 turnovers, one thing Daniels is aware of he has to scrub up.

The Australian did simply that in a 94-86 win over Golden State on Monday, stuffing the stat sheet with 17 factors, 15 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, two blocks and — crucially — simply two turnovers.

“Two days ago I thought I turned it over too much,” Daniels advised ESPN post-game.

“I was playing too fast, so I just wanted to get comfortable, get my teammates involved and we had guys step up tonight.

“I wasn’t happy with how I finished the season last year so this summer has been all about work for me. Getting in the gym, tour days and getting the work in, coming out here and putting on a performance.

“For me it’s just about getting in here, getting in reps, getting better and working on what I’ve been working on all summer.”

The ESPN commentary staff spoke to Green in the course of the Warriors sport, with the Pelicans coach praising the teenager’s versatile defence and excessive basketball IQ.

“First and foremost is his defence. He gets on the floor because he has size, strength and speed,” Green stated.

“He can guard multiple positions and he’s a great rebounder. Then offensively, he’s a big guard-wing, he can play point guard, fantastic passer. You just want to see him continue to do the things he does to get on the floor for us.

“He’s cerebral. He can see the game, he can see the floor. High IQ, he knows positions one through five. It’s a luxury to have a kid like that, get him young and continue to groom and grow [him].”

ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth spoke to Daniels within the lead-up to Monday’s sport and stated the 20-year-old hoped to shine his playmaking expertise.

“I was able to ask Dyson just how he’s planning on elevating his game this season,” Hubbarth stated.

“He said, ‘Obviously defence comes first. I had an impact in that last year but I want to involve my offensive game and play with the ball in my hands. To be able to play with guys like BI [Brandon Ingram], CJ [McCollum], Zion — those guys who are really good scorers. Get them the ball and in the position to succeed. For me it’s just about being calm and working on my handle to get into sets’.

“That’s what he’s focusing on here in Summer League and hopes to carry over to the season.”

XAVIER COOKS (Washington Wizards)

Cooks additionally suited up at Summer League, though he’s within the second season of a multi-year cope with the Wizards so theoretically his spot within the staff doesn’t seem like in jeopardy.

The Australian ahead did sit out Washington’s second sport in Vegas although, as a substitute sitting in road garments on the staff’s bench based on The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.

Cooks had impressed with 11 factors, seven rebounds and two assists in his Summer League debut for the Wizards as Washington suffered a 91-83 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Other Australians preventing for roster spots on the NBA Summer League:

Luke Travers (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Travers, who was taken by Cleveland with the 56th decide within the 2022 draft, made a press release towards the Nets with a productive 13 factors, six rebounds and 4 blocks from 27 minutes. It is strictly the form of efficiency Travers wanted as he appears to earn a two-way spot with the Cavaliers. Otherwise, he’s at the moment signed to a three-year cope with Melbourne United.

Duop Reath (Portland Trail Blazers)

Reath has already had loads of minutes to make an impression in what’s his fourth look on the Summer League.

The 27-year-old has mixed for 23 factors and 17 rebounds in 40 minutes, doing his hopes of incomes a spot on the Blazers roster little hurt.

Keanu Pinder (Phoenix Suns)

Just the one sport performed to this point for Phoenix and no minutes on the court docket but for Pinder, who’s trying to construct on momentum from a powerful season with the Taipans within the NBL.

Dejan Vasiljevic (Washington Wizards)

Vasiljevic hasn’t seen any motion to this point for the Wizards because the two-time NBL champion appears to earn one of many staff’s two-way spots.

Makur Maker (Philadelphia 76ers)

Maker has solely performed two video games and 5 minutes for the 76ers, with restricted alternatives to impress. The aim shall be incomes a coaching camp invite, like he did with the Wizards after final yr’s Summer League, though that could be onerous if he continues to see such small minutes on the court docket.

Jaylin Galloway (Minnesota Timberwolves)

No time on the court docket but for Galloway, who lately signed a three-year cope with the Sydney Kings.