Truth behind young gun's rise to 'league's best'; sign Giddey is set to ...

We’ve hit roughly the 10-game mark of the marathon 82-game NBA season, giving us a proper look at our Aussie contingent.

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It includes Dyson Daniels shining with greater opportunity for the Hawks, while several fresh faces have gotten their first opportunity.

Below foxsports.com.au runs through the latest around every Aussie in the NBA.

BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)

It’s been a solid start to the season for Simmons in limited court time as he hopes to stay healthy after playing just 15 and 42 games the last two seasons respectively due to injures.

He’s averaged 6.1 points, six rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in under 25 minutes, with the 4-6 Nets opting for a conservative approach with the 28-year old and even managing him at times due to his back issue.

Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez moved Simmons to the bench for the first time this season in the team’s game against Boston, replacing him with Nic Claxton, who’d been ramping up from injury.

It’s hard to see the two sharing the court together much given the spacing issues, so expect at least one of them to remain in the second unit.

“For the flow of the team, whatever the team needs me to do in terms of whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, I’ve got to do. So, that’s what coach wants right now. It is what it is,” Simmons said after logging a season-high 27 minutes against the Celtics.

Asked if he expects to come off the bench the rest of the season, Simmons responded: “I try not to expect anything in the NBA. Things change all the time.”

While Simmons has been a steady playmaker as Brooklyn’s point forward, there’s still been instances where he’s passed up open lanes to the rim.

The former All-Star also generally hasn’t been aggressive hunting his shot on offence to suggest he’s still not fully confident on the attacking end of the court.

After Simmons attempted only four field goals in Brooklyn’s loss to Detroit, Fernandez noted he’d like to see the Aussie take on a larger offensive role.

“I want him to shoot more than that,” the Nets coach said.

“My goal for him is 10 (field goal attempts per game). He has to find a way to get there. He hasn’t gotten there yet, but I know he can.”

If 10 is the magic number, Simmons is currently some ways off that, averaging 4.6 shots per game and 0.6 free throws.

“He is physically getting where he’s supposed to be, and those attempts need to go up,” Fernandez added.

“Because then we are all going to benefit from it. I don’t care about makes-misses. I just want to see shots going up. He’s more than capable of doing it, so he’ll get there for sure.”

JOSH GIDDEY (Chicago Bulls)

Giddey is embracing the role as Chicago’s chief point guard and playmaker — where he does his best work.

Through 10 games for his new team, the 6-foot-8 guard is averaging a career-best seven assists per game, effectively feeding the likes of Zach LaVine and Coby White and running the team’s modern, high-octane offence.

It’s the ideal role carved out by Chicago coach Billy Donnovan to maximise Giddey’s skills, with the 4-6 Bulls playing at the NBA’s fastest pace and attempting the third-most threes.

“My job is just to make these guys’ life easy,” Giddey told ESPN.

“I’m trying to get Zach the ball, Coby the ball, get these guys easy looks and take the load off them. … We spoke about how we want to play: Get up the floor, kick the ball ahead and run. Look at the wings that we have, Coby, Zach, these guys getting out in transition, it’s going to make this team scary.”

It includes the former Pick 6 dishing out a season-high 13 assists in the Bulls’ fade-out loss to Minnesota.

Giddey is otherwise averaging 13.4 points per game on 42.1 per cent shooting from the field, a career-best 1.4 triples on 42 per cent shooting plus 6.5 rebounds. He’s impacting the game in multiple ways despite not taking a leap forward offensively.

The improved 3-point stroke, however, is promising, particularly with Chicago attempting so many shots from beyond the arc this season.

JOSH GREEN (Charlotte Hornets)

Remember Josh Green?

The Aussie was traded by the Mavericks to the Hornets in the off-season despite having signed a three-year deal worth US $41 million (AUD $62 million).

After a delayed start to the season due to an Achilles injury, Green has started in seven of eight games for his new team.

While Green’s numbers don’t jump off the page — averaging just 5.1 points game on only 4.5 field goal attempts with 1.3 triples in 22.4 minutes — the fact he’s been instantly entrusted into such a big role shows he’s highly valued by new coach Charles Lee.

The 23-year old has provided a defensive boost and other intangibles while adapting to his new surroundings and building trust from Lee.

Green’s role on offence is always going to be limited alongside the likes of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and, when healthy, Miles Bridges. Still, Green is knocking down his 3-pointers at a career-best 43.5 per cent clip in an encouraging sign, even if only a small sample size.

It’s the other side of the court where Green provides real value for the 4-6 Hornets though and gives balance to their offensive-minded stars.

Teammate Grant Williams recently heaped praise on Green, saying he does a lot of little things that can go unnoticed.

“Josh’s impact doesn’t show in the box score oftentimes,” Williams told reporters.

“He does a phenomenal job of just hounding guys whether it’s in the full court or half court or guarding guys off screens. Even shots where they shoot tough floaters – he’s right there.

“You have to give him credit. I think he’s one of the best complementary guys in the league and he has a great opportunity with this team to be himself.

“I’m excited that he gets to play his game and whether he makes a mistake or not just continuing to play hard. I’m just super excited for him to have that opportunity and do his thing.”

DYSON DANIELS (Atlanta Hawks)

Australia’s big success story this season has Daniels tracking towards All-Defence Team honours. In fact, there’s suddenly a reasonable debate around whether he’s Australia’s premier basketballer.

Daniels is flourishing in a larger role for the 4-7 Hawks after being traded from New Orleans, particularly on the defensive end as the ultimate disrupter with his 6-foot-8 size and huge wingspan.

The 21-year old is averaging career highs across the board in points per game (12.8), field goal percentage (45), 3-pointers (1.1), rebounds (4.4) and steals (3.3).

The steals are the clear standout there, with Daniels leading the NBA in the category and coming off games with six steals, a career-best seven and four in his last three outings.

Daniels is also the league leader in deflections, averaging 7.4 per game. That has him tracking towards over 600 deflections, which would shatter Robert Covington’s single season record of 315 in 2017-18 since the NBA has been tracking it.

“The thing that is impressive to me is that usually when you get that many steals it’s because you are gambling. You take yourself out of the play. Rarely does he take himself out of the play. He may not steal the ball, but he’s still in position,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said, per Hawks.com’s Kevin Chouinard.

While Daniels still has shortcomings on the offensive end, he’s scored 16-plus points in three of his last five games, including dropping a career-high 18 twice already this season.

The Aussie’s role on offence has expanded in recent times too, with his field goal attempts sitting at 16 over his last three games.

It’s all coming together for Daniels in year three in a new environment.

“(The trade) was unexpected. I came into the league here and this was home for me,” Daniels said after returning to New Orleans.

“They drafted me. They believed in me. Everyone was great to me. But this is a business; these things happen. So you’ve got to move on from it. I’m happy to be in Atlanta. I’m enjoying my opportunity there.”

JOE INGLES (Minnesota Timberwolves)

After starting the season at the end of the Wolves rotation, Ingles hasn’t seen any minutes since the team’s win over Denver on November 2.

The Aussie veteran has essentially been replaced by Josh Minott as the ninth player in Minnesota’s line-up, while even Pick 8 draftee Rob Dillingham has seen more court time than Ingles in recent — including some blowout results.

It shouldn’t necessarily come as a huge shock, for this is a stacked Wolves team and Ingles was brought in to be a veteran mentor as much as anything.

If injuries were to strike, the 37-year could become more of a factor, but but for now he’s a ways down the pecking order for Wolves coach Chris Finch.

Still, Ingles is enjoying his time in Minnesota and his new teammates.

“It’s genuinely one of the best groups I’ve been around. My national team is always going to be number one,” he told reporters earlier this month.

“But those Utah teams, I’ve been on some good teams, but this group of guys is pretty special. So it’s been fun.”

PATTY MILLS (Utah Jazz)

Mills has had a surprisingly bigger role than expected for the developing Jazz, with coach Will Hardy opting to play a deep rotation.

In fact, Mills has played in all nine games for Utah, at times at the expense of the younger players. He’s averaging 3.6 points in 15.3 minutes per contest.

The beloved Aussie, who recently played in his 900th NBA game, recorded six points with five assists in 13 minutes in Utah’s first win of the season over Chicago last week — Mills’ best performance yet for the Jazz.

It’s hard to say if Mills’ role will remain as consistent throughout the season, for Utah may eventually prioritise giving its youngsters greater opportunities.

Hardy recently discussed how he’s still trialling different rotations and playing the long-term game with his youth.

“I have the long view in mind for all of these guys,” Hardy said. “The reality is that we can’t play every young guy every night. That’s not how this is going to work … This notion of just getting minutes helps you get better is not true. Just playing for playing’s sake doesn’t just make you better.

“That’s why we have practices. That’s why we have the G League … we’re going to use all of our resources to help all these guys get better.”

DANTE EXUM (Dallas Mavericks)

Exum remains sidelined with a serious right wrist injury sustained during training camp that required surgery.

The initial estimation was that Exum would miss three months, while there’s yet to be an update since, so don’t expect to see the 29-year old back on the court anytime soon.

It comes amid an indifferent start to the season for the Mavericks after their trip to the NBA Finals last season, currently sitting 10th in the Western Conference with a 5-5 record.

Despite having superstar duo Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas’ offensive rating has dipped slightly to rank 10th in the NBA in an area Exum can help in when he returns.

JOHNNY FURPHY (Indiana Pacers)

While Furphy’s opportunities have been scarce on this Pacers team, coach Rick Carlisle said earlier this month they “really need him”.

The 19-year old has played only three NBA games to be precise — totalling 14 minutes on the floor and yet to score his first points.

The Pacers last week assigned Furphy to their G League affiliate, Indiana Mad Ants, before the Pick 35 draftee returned to play in the injury-hit Indiana’s last two games predominantly in garbage time.

It’d realistically take multiple injuries to wings and guards for Furphy to get a proper crack in the NBA this season even though the likes of Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard have missed time recently, while Furphy could get reassigned to the G league when Indiana gets healthy.

MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)

Thybulle continues to be sidelined by a knee injury that required a minor surgery.

The defensive specialist has been ramping up to the final stages of his recovery though including starting on court work this week, so he could be available soon.

But what his role looks like for the Blazers when he’s available remains a mystery, likely competing with Kris Murray and Jabari Walker for minutes on the wing.

DUOP REATH (Portland Trail Blazers)

Already buried in Portland’s centre rotation behind DeAndre Ayton and Donovan Clingan, Reath has fallen further down the pecking order for Chauncey Billups’ team.

Robert Williams returned from injury last week and is now the Blazers’ third-string centre ahead of Reath.

The Aussie big man, in the final year of a two-year deal, hasn’t played more than five minutes in a game this season after averaging 17.9 minutes per contest in his impressive rookie campaign.

While NBA rotations are fluid and change throughout the season, particularly for a struggling team like a 3-8 Blazers, it’d take one, if not more, injuries or a trade for Reath to get more minutes.

JACK MCVEIGH (Houston Rockets)

We’ve had two recent McVeigh sightings!

The sharpshooter last week made his debut against San Antonio in junk time and became the first NBA player to wear No. 58.

McVeigh then followed it up by scoring his first points in the Rockets’ following match against the OKC Thunder in garbage time … of course it was a 3-pointer.

You sense McVeigh will spend a fair chunk of the season in the G League, but it was great to see the 28-year old get his first taste of NBA action.

JOCK LANDALE (Houston Rockets)

The equation has been pretty simple for Landale.

In games Steven Adams has missed, Landale has gotten extended run, but it’s otherwise been tough for the Aussie to find a pathway to minutes on this stacked Rockets roster, sitting behind Adams and Alperen Sengun in the centre depth chart.

Landale saw a season-high 18 minutes against San Antonio last week, scoring nine of his 11 points in the first half alone while matched up on Victor Wembanyama.

The Aussie got another chance in Monday’s win over Detroit but didn’t have a major impact, tallying three points with five rebounds in 17 minutes.

ALEX DUCAS (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Ducas has played limited minutes for the Thunder, with his three minutes against Chicago a season high, while the guard is still searching for his first NBA points.

The 23-year old has been assigned to the G League, which kicked off over the weekend, and where Ducas is likely to spend the majority of his time this season.

The Oklahoma City Blue play their first game this week.

Ducas at Blue Media day spoke about signing with the Thunder and responded to recent criticism from the Draymond Green about the Thunder’s group post-game interviews.

LUKE TRAVERS (Cleveland Cavaliers)

The Perth product has played in two games for the undefeated Cavaliers including scoring four points against Orlando in his first NBA game with two rebounds, two assists and a block in the final four minutes.

The 23-year old guard described his debut performance against the Magic as “surreal” and “unexpected,” saying he “expected to be in street clothes”.

“A lot of mixed emotions, obviously this a dream come true and you work so hard for it,” he told ESPN’s Kane Pitman post-match.

“For it to finally happen, it’s pretty special and something I’ll never forget. It’s been pretty cool.”

Travers, who’s signed to a two-way deal with Cleveland, also earned praise from coach Kenny Atkinson afterwards.

“He played his tail off,” Atkinson said.

“He’s so smart. The pass, like to fake and around. I love discovering new players. I didn’t discover him. It’s just so fun. What could this guy be? He’s six-foot eight and he can really pass. I love that we’ve got him to shoot the ball without hesitation. He was fun to watch.”

Of course, getting minutes on any NBA team is tough, let alone the East’s first-seeded 11-0 Cavs, so Travers will likely predominantly play in the G league, where he’s off to a hot start.

Travers made his G League debut over the weekend and made an immediate impression, racking up 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and leading the Charge to a 37-point win in their first game.