The NBA trade season has opened with a bang. This is where every Aussie stands

We got a glimpse at what Giddey could be with greater responsibility, plus our first look at Simmons in a new role. Catch up on all the latest surrounding the Aussies in the NBA ... and how they could be impacted by trade season.

We got a glimpse at what Josh Giddey could be with greater responsibility before an untimely setback, plus our first look at Ben Simmons in a new (but familiar) role.

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It comes as the NBA crossed the crucial November 16 date when the majority of free agents signed in the off-season became eligible to be traded — with one big trade sending Dennis Schroder to Golden State already going down.

Catch up on all the latest surrounding the Aussies in the NBA ... and how they could be impacted by NBA trade season.

BEN SIMMONS (Brooklyn Nets)

With Dennis Schroder shipped to Golden State, Simmons is now Brooklyn’s full-time point guard.

It gives Simmons a clear runway to bigger minutes and a more meaningful role on this Nets team that’s on tear-it-down watch after a better-than-expected 10-16 start to the season – a season it was expected to be in the lottery mix.

The Aussie hasn’t had a consistent role thus far as a point centre for Brooklyn. He’s started 14 of his 20 appearances this season and has been on a 27-minute restriction as the team carefully manages his road back from a back injury.

After averaging only 17.8 minutes in December, Simmons played a season-high 30 minutes against Cleveland on Tuesday, registering, 10 points, eight assists and six turnovers in a much bigger workload than we’ve seen in some time.

Nets coach Jordi Fenandez said ahead of the game the team intends to play at a faster pace with Simmons as their main point guard — a system he should thrive in.

Ben Simmons doesn’t want to tank pic.twitter.com/YfSyrvlOvA

— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) December 17, 2024

It’s possible the Nets aren’t yet done wheeling and dealing their veterans yet, with Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith other names to watch in the lead into the trade deadline.

Any further moves made by the Nets, who’s goal is to bring in long-term assets, could open further opportunities for Simmons.

The Aussie’s own future is uncertain too. NBA insider Jake Fischer said Simmons is a “fascinating name” to monitor on the trade market, suggesting his $40 million expiring contract could be moved to a team looking to clear salary next off-season.

There’s also a scenario where Simmons, who will become a free agent at the end of the season, could move to another team via a buy out with the Nets, though that would mean sacrificing a portion of his $40 million deal – likely his last big-money contract.

JOSH GIDDEY (Chicago Bulls)

Giddey produced two of his best games for the 12-15 Bulls in his last six outings including recording his first triple-double for Chicago in a win over Brooklyn earlier this month.

He was comfortably closing in on his second triple-double for the Bulls against Toronto in a strong showing before his night was cruelly cut short by an ankle injury.

It’s encouraging progress after the 22-year old admitted earlier this month his first season for the Bulls has been “up and down” following his big off-season trade from Oklahoma City.

The situation in Chicago remains fluid as one of the teams most on trade watch, with the potential for the likes of Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball to get moved.

If LaVine and/or Vucevic got traded, it’d open significantly more offensive touches for Giddey and allow him greater opportunities to develop on that side of the floor and ultimately level up his game.

We saw first hand against the Raptors how comfortable Giddey looked with more responsibility on the offensive end with LaVine out.

It comes in a crucial season for Giddey as he prepares to enter free agency after Chicago opted not to re-sign the former Pick 6, with his biggest payday looming.

While Giddey went into Tuesday’s action averaging a career-best 6.9 assists, it’s been off-set by his defensive decencies and shooting woes including his 3-point percentage regressing to 32.3 after a hot start to the season.

He’s also averaging a career-worst 11.9 points per game in 27.2 minutes, down from 12.3 points per game last season in 25.2 minutes.

Bulls analyst Will Perdue thinks Giddey deserves plaudits for his improved effort in the team’s recent win over Charlotte, suggesting if he continues to play with that attitude it’ll overshadow his weaknesses.

“We need to give credit where credit is due … as long as the effort is there, you’re always going to credit a guy regardless of the results,” Perdue said on CHGO Sports.

“We’re going to talk about the struggles on defence, I think he will eventually get better. How much better is hard to say.

“But if he does better offensively a takes care of the ball better and this team wins, (his defensive shortcomings) will be an afterthought honestly.”

JOSH GREEN (Charlotte Hornets)

Forced into a bigger role amid wholesale injuries to the 7-18 Hornets, Green is coming off a promising stretch.

He averaged over 10 points over a recent seven-game run including putting up his best two scoring performances this season (17 points against Atlanta, 16 points against Cleveland).

Green is shooting a career-best 42.9 per cent from beyond the arc – where he takes over half his shots – despite a dip to 28 per cent in December.

Things will normalise in Charlotte now that Chares Lee’s team is fully healthy, which could result in better looks for Green even if LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller will take up the lion’s share of the offence.

The Hornets played their preferred starting line-up of LaMelo Ball-Brandon Miller-Green-Miles Bridges-Mark Williams for the first time this season against Philadelphia.

How that line-up looks together could be telling with regards to how this team builds its roster moving forward, though none of the team’s key players have come up in trade rumours.

While Green is only new in Charlotte, he could be gettable for teams searching for a 3-and-D wing on an affordable $13 million salary.

DYSON DANIELS (Atlanta Hawks)

It’s been a big week for Daniels and the Hawks following their deep NBA Cup semi-final run.

The 21-year old continues to do Great Barrier Thief things including locking up Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.

His play has been crucial in helping transform Atlanta’s identity, climbing from the 21st-ranked defensive rating to 17th-ranked currently and sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Still leading the NBA in steals (three per game) and deflections (6.5), Daniels is also averaging 13.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 threes while shooting 44.9 per cent from the field as one of the most exciting young guns in the league and already one of the best defensive players.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps wrote the Hawks are “excited” by their young core of Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu and Zaccarhie Risacher. And despite the team’s improvement as a genuine playoff contender, Bontemps reported Atlanta is prepared to listen to offers for its veterans.

They include Clint Capela, who’s on an expiring $22 million deal, and Bogdan Bogdanovic, who other teams are particularly “curious about.”

So while the Hawk are building strong momentum, there’s a scenario where they cash in on their veterans and offload them for longer-term assets, with Daniels among the core pieces they’re building around.

Oh and in case you missed it, there’s another Daniels on his way to the NBA. Younger brother Dash, Australia’s top teen basketball prospect and considered a first-round player in the 2026 NBA draft, turned down US college offers to sign with Melbourne United as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program.

JOE INGLES (Minnesota Timberwolves)

We haven’t seen Ingles since November 18 due to a calf injury.

The 36-year old Aussie veteran has played in just seven of a possible 25 games for Minnesota, having fallen out of the rotation prior to his setback, while his return timeline is unclear.

The 14-11 Timberwolves are figuring things out after a slow start to the season, now only two and a half games behind the West’s No. 3 seed.

That said, they still feel like a team that could opt to shake things up ahead of the deadline given they haven’t reached the heights of last season, that saw the Wolves make it all the way to the conference finals.

Should that happen, you couldn’t completely rule out Ingles and his $2 million contract being part of a deal as salary filler, though it’s unclear how highly they value him behind the scenes.

PATTY MILLS (Utah Jazz)

Like his veteran Boomer teammate Ingles, Mills hasn’t been sighted on the court since mid-November.

Mills has fallen out of Will Hardy’s rotation after playing all nine of the first games to start the season as the Jazz turn to their younger players.

The 5-19 Jazz are being touted as one of the teams most likely to blow up their roster and trade their veteran players, with Jordan Clarkson and Colin Sexton among the names rumoured to be on the trade block

While moving Clarkson and/or Sexton could theoretically open up minutes in Utah’s backcourt for Mills, the Jazz are clearly prioritising their long-term future.

So don’t count on Mills’ on-court role changing in a meaningful way anytime soon, with his main responsibility helping nurture the younger players.

DANTE EXUM (Dallas Mavericks)

We got our first update on the injured Exum in some time via Mavs coach Jason Kidd.

“He’s doing a lot of work with the left hand to be able to go both ways with his right and left. I think his attitude and he’s been working extremely hard. He looks great,” Kidd said this week, per Mavs beat writer Mike Curt.

Exum 29, has been sidelined since the pre-season following wrist surgery expected to sideline him for around three months.

Based on that timeline, he should be back on the court some time in the new year.

You could never rule out the Mavericks making moves to further upgrade the supporting cast around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, especially given the success of last season’s additions, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.

They’re among the teams that have been linked to Jimmy Butler, but trading for the six-time All-Star would require the Mavericks packaging up several key role players.

On the other hand, Dallas is one of the form teams in the league right now, with 12 wins from its last 14 games to improve to 17-9 and occupy the fourth seed in the West. So it could just as easily sit still and see if this team can go one better from last season’s NBA Finals run.

JOHNNY FURPHY (Indiana Pacers)

The rookie out of Kansas has gotten more run than originally expected for the injury-hit Pacers, having clearly made an immediate impression on coach Rick Carlisle and the team at large.

Furphy hasn’t quite built off his career-best performance against Brooklyn earlier this month, but he’s played in all four games since in a steady role off the bench, playing between nine and 12 minutes a game.

Just getting those development minutes right now are crucial for the youngster in adapting to the step up to the NBA.

look at my young king https://t.co/Hanxbv39OBpic.twitter.com/fiqbmHSret

— AKRiley (@AKRileyy5) December 16, 2024

He’s also importantly taking it all in his stride and making valuable learnings along the way.

“It’s pretty cool, I’m loving it so far. It’s pretty awesome I get to do this for a job,” Furphy said.

“Definitely learning to appreciate the levels of professionalism people have in the league to maintain a certain level of energy day to day, come in do your work and be able to perform on any given night.”

The 12-15 Pacers are a team that could look to shake things up ahead of the draft as one of the big disappointments following last season’s conference finals appearance.

There’s no telling what Indiana might do and whether that would affect Furphy, but right now he seems to be a player it likes for the future.

MATISSE THYBULLE (Portland Trail Blazers)

Still yet to make his season debut after Thybulle suffered a right ankle sprain earlier this month while ramping up from a knee injury.

It’s expected to sideline the defensive specialist until the new year in a frustrating season to date.

Portland is meanwhile expected to be one of the most active teams on the trade market, with the likes of Jerami Grant, Robert Williams and Anfernee Simons potential candidates to get moved.

Trimming the roster could open up more minutes in the rotation for Thybulle, 27, when he’s available to return, but the 8-18 Blazers are clearly prioritising their youth and building for the future.

Hard to imagine rival teams would have interest in Thybulle, who has an $11.5 million player option for next season, given his injury issues.

DUOP REATH (Portland Trail Blazers)

A genuine candidate to get moved.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported via Marc Stein’s Substack earlier this month that Reath has interest around the NBA given his $2 million contract could appeal to teams in tight salary positions amid the strict new CBA restrictions.

One Western Conference executive called the big man “really interesting.”

It comes with Reath buried in Portland’s logjam of bigs, stuck fourth in line behind Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams and rookie Donovan Clingan.

Reath has played just twice in December, but it took for both Williams and Clingan to be out in a blowout loss to Utah for him to get a decent run– racking up eight points, two threes and five rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench.

I believe the Warriors should look into acquiring Duop Reath. He’s a 6’9” center who can stretch the floor and shot 36% from three on three attempts per game last season. His contract is affordable at just $2 million per year.pic.twitter.com/rWkob6nQEb

— GSW Ball Report (14-11) (@GSWBallReport) October 14, 2024

Unless Reath or one or more of Portland’s other centres get traded, it’s hard to see the Aussie’s pathway to a bigger role after the 28-year old’s promising 2023/24 season.

“Reath is behind three big men in the Trail Blazers’ rotation ... but Reath could realistically provide backup minutes elsewhere,” Rischer wrote earlier this month.

“He’s making $2.048 million this season and is on Portland’s books for 2025-26 at $2.2 million. Is there a world where some rival front office, limited in ways to improve their team, values Reath’s potential contribution enough to offer the Blazers multiple second-round picks? We’re going to find out.”

JOCK LANDALE (Houston Rockets)

Landale is another Australian who could be on the move ahead of the trade deadline.

It ultimately depends what direction Houston heads in. The Rockets have a young core and could opt to go down a similar route to Oklahoma City, not making any major moves and instead staying put to see how this group fares in the playoffs.

But if they choose to make an upgrade and target one of the bigger names ahead of the deadline, Landale’s $8 million contract could be helpful for matching purposes given he has a non-guaranteed salary for next season.

Landale has averaged 11.1 minutes per game, scoring 3.9 points to go with 3.3 rebounds and could be a useful piece for any team, be it as essentially an expiring contract to create cap space or one in need of some frontcourt depth.

Landale has checked in at times as the backup centre ahead of Steven Adams and the Rockets struggled in particular against the Timberwolves with the Australian in the game, which could actually also prompt Houston to consider whether it needs a better second-string option at the position ahead of a playoffs push.

JACK MCVEIGH (Houston Rockets)

Landale’s Rockets teammate McVeigh has seen limited minutes in a deep Houston team that is a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, averaging 3.5 minutes across six appearances in the NBA.

Otherwise, McVeigh has played just one game for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G-League affiliate, scoring eight points to go with six rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes.

McVeigh is on a two-way contract with the Rockets and at this stage looks unlikely to settle into any consistent role in the rotation without a series of injuries.

ALEX DUCAS (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Now 24 years old, having celebrated his birthday last week, Ducas is unfortunately unavailable due to a back injury.

It is a lingering lower back sprain for Ducas, although the extent of the injury or how long it could sideline him is unclear at this stage.

Ducas hadn’t established himself as an important part of Oklahoma City’s rotation, having not played more than three minutes in any of his four NBA appearances this season.

Otherwise, Ducas has played four games for Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate, averaging 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.0 steal in 23.6 minutes.

LUKE TRAVERS (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Travers is doing everything he can to earn a call-up to the NBA, consistently putting up strong numbers for the Cleveland Charge, the Cavaliers’ G League affiliate.

Most notably, the Australian guard posted a triple-double in his latest game for Cleveland, scoring 25 points to go with 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

Travers has played five games for the Charge this season, averaging 21.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 34.1 minutes.

Luke Travers is just awesome pic.twitter.com/YuGSSmfzld

— Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) December 16, 2024

Travers hasn’t played for the Cavaliers since the 9th of December, when he got two minutes in a loss to the Heat.

He has largely seen minimal minutes in his seven NBA appearances, although Travers did get an extended look in a 30-minute performance against the Pelicans in November.

The Cavaliers have a 23-4 record and sit on top of the Eastern Conference, so as long as Travers continued to finish at the rim and crash the glass the way he is doing in the G League he will remain in the frame for rotation minutes given Cleveland’s comfortable position in the NBA.