NBA Rich List: Salaries of Australia’s biggest basketball stars, Ben Simmons, Josh Giddey, revealed

The NBA’s global broadcast rights deal is coming to an end - and that will mean salaries are set to explode. See what it means for the Australian stars already raking in the big bucks.

Australia’s NBA players will collectively earn over $150 million this season – headed by a whopping $59.6 million for Brooklyn Nets star Ben Simmons.

The world’s best basketball league tips off on Wednesday morning – with nine Aussies hoping to make a big impact – on-and-off the court.

Simmons headlines the gifted group, with the Melbourne-born guard set to pocket a staggering sum.

The Boomers Paris Olympic hopeful is fit again following an injury-interrupted two seasons – and based on his strong pre-season – looks like recapturing the form that helped become a three-time All-Star.

Simmons is the clear leader in the Aussie NBA Rich List, but there are a wave of talented youngsters nipping at his heels.

Sydney-born and raised guard Josh Green moved into second on the list after securing a three-year contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks.

No.1: Ben Simmons is clear – for now – as Australia’s biggest earner in the NBA. Picture: Getty

Green will earn $20 million (AUD) a season in a clear sign of how highly the Mavericks rate the rising Boomers star.

The 22-year-old is coming off a breakout season with Dallas, averaging 9.1 points on 53.7 per cent shooting from the field and 40.2 per cent from three.

Green is tipped to take another step forward this season to further cement his place as one of Dallas’ most consistent performers.

Josh Giddey is another Australian set to reach even greater heights in the 2023/24 NBA campaign.

Giddey looks primed to improve again as a player – which will also significantly boost his pay packet.

Josh Giddey will cash in with a monster contract in the coming years – but he’s still making big coin off his rookie deal with the Thunder. Picture: Getty

The gun Boomers guard is part of a talented young core at the OKC Thunder who possess the ability to dominate the NBA for years to come.

Giddey wants to get to the free throw line more often and improve his three-point shot — and if he does, he could be an All-Star and Most Improved Player candidate.

If he makes that kind of leap, Giddey could be in line for a mega $300 million contract extension similar to deals signed by the likes of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards after they made the All-Star Game.

It would see him surpass Simmons’ $275 million (AUD) contract as the richest-ever deal signed by an Australian NBA player.

Player wages could explode even more in the coming years based on the revenue from the NBA’s global broadcast rights.

At present, the deal is worth $US24 billion, but league officials are hoping to get $US75 billion when the deal expires after the 24/25 season.

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Australians in the NBA.

A week ago, 12 Aussies were preparing to make their mark in the NBA this season.

Now, hours out from the opening games of the year, a quarter of them have lost their contracts.

Former NBL MVP Xavier Cooks has been waived by the Washington Wizards, opening the door for ex-Sydney King to potentially sign a EuroLeague deal if he fails to attract interest to remain in the NBA.

Xavier Cooks (R) was cut by the Wizards on the eve of the season. Picture: AFP

The shock moves on the eve of the NBA season continued on Tuesday when the Wizards cut Cooks.

The two-time NBL champion will still retain the $2.6 million (AUD) he was set to earn for this season, but Washington have opted to move in another direction.

Cooks was signed to a four-year deal with the Wizards in March and had shown promising signs in the back half of the NBA season, averaging 3.8 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, across ten appearances.

The Wizards have also filled their two-way roster spots, meaning Cooks is on the lookout for a new team.

He could aim to secure another NBA deal – or sign in the EuroLeague – where he can follow in the footsteps of Boomers teammate Dante Exum and use the league as a developmental launch pad back to the NBA.

Dante Exum has worked his way back into the NBA, with Dallas, after a stint in Europe. Picture: Getty

Exum excelled in Spain and Serbia, helping him to land a two-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

Cooks would also benefit from a European stint should he chose or fail to sign with another NBA team.

It comes just a day after fellow Boomers – Duop Reath and Jack White – were waived by Portland and Oklahoma City respectively.

Reath received good news on Tuesday, with the Trail Blazers signing him on a two-way contract to play in the G League.

NBL NEXT STARS’ PAYDAY

The NBL’s gifted crop of Next Stars are also in line for significant pay packet upgrades should they be drafted next year.

Perth’s seven-foot one French sensation Alex Sarr is being tipped as a potential top-five draft pick, which would net him over $5 million in his rookie season.

Perth’s NBL Next Star sensation Alex Sarr is tipped to go early in next year’s NBA draft. Picture: Getty

Sarr surged in Bleacher Report’s most recent NBA 2024 mock draft, not only being listed as the second pick by expert Jonathan Wasserman, but also hailed “the hottest name early in the 2024 draft cycle”.

The Frenchman has averaged 9.8 points on 48 per cent shooting from the field while adding 5.3 rebounds in his six games off the bench.

Cairns’ Bobi Klintman’s stock has also risen off the back of a run of strong performances in the NBL.

The Bleacher Report currently has Klintman listed as the 22nd selection in next year’s draft.

Illawarra’s AJ Johnson is the third and final NBL-based player to be named by Bleacher Report, at pick 44, with the outlet acknowledging his limited role within the Hawks’ current line-up, largely due to his age and pre-season injury problems.

United’s Next Star Ariel Hukporti has also featured as a potential second round pick by ESPN.

Originally published as NBA Rich List: Salaries of Australia’s biggest basketball stars, Ben Simmons, Josh Giddey, revealed