OZ BOYS LIGHT UP

MICHAEL RANDALL previews the season

BEN SIMMONS Philadelphia 76ers, Point guard, 23

AUSTRALIA’S best basketballer in the NBA. How far Philly goes this season depends on the super talents of the towering point guard. Off-season video, if you believe it, has shown an improved jump shot. If he can even get it going from the outside at a half-decent clip — say 30 per cent — his superior athletic ability could just make him the best player in the NBA. Remember, you read it here first.

JONAH BOLDEN Philadelphia 76ers, Power forward, 23

COULD he be the boom Aussie of this NBA season? He has all the tools to be a star at the elite level — including height, athleticism and talents at both ends of the floor. There will be question marks over his temperament following the Boomers dummy spit of leaving the team before the FIBA World Cup, but if he can swallow his pride, the sky’s the limit.

DANTE EXUM Utah Jazz, Shooting guard, 24

FINALLY injury-free, it’s time for Dante to shine. Signed a three-year, $33 million contract at the start of last year, a big show of faith by the Jazz, but the basketball gods struck again and he missed most of the season through injury. Stay healthy, carve out a role in a cluttered back court and help the Jazz go deep in the playoffs. All attainable dreams for a kid who is just 24 but feels like he’s been around for 10 years.

JOE INGLES Utah Jazz, Small forward, 32

MR Do-It-All gets more talent to work with this season. The Jazz has added point guard Mike Conley and scoring machine Bojan Bogdanovic. Ingles is set to become more efficient with Conley and Bogdanovic capable of initiating the offence. It might mean his stats go down, but Slow Mo Joe has never been bothered by numbers.

PATTY MILLS San Antonio Spurs, Point guard, 31

IS it time for Gregg Popovich to take notice of Mills’ stunning Boomers form at the World Cup in China and give him a starting role? Probably not, “Pop’’ likes him as a sparkplug off the bench, a role in which Mills is deadly.

ARON BAYNES Phoenix Suns, Centre, 32

THE heart and soul of Boston was ripped out when the Celtics shipped Baynes to Phoenix. Baynes joins one of the worst teams in the NBA, but instantly makes it better with a bear-like presence on the defensive end that should rub off on his teammates, chiefly (hopefully) Devin Booker. Look for him to maintain his usual efficient play … and shoot a ton of three-pointers after showing off his impressive range in the World Cup.

THON MAKER Detroit Pistons, Centre/power forward, 22

SPURNED the Boomers’ World Cup campaign to prepare for the Pistons’ season, indicating he is in line for solid minutes in Detroit. A huge man, he has the ability to play inside and outside, but his production has hardly moved in three NBA seasons. Can he make a leap?

MATTHEW DELLAVEDOVA Cleveland Cavaliers, Point guard, 29

BACK where he belongs, the Cleveland cult figure will provide his usual dogged defence, but has revamped his jump shot to incorporate a quicker release. He’ll hope it falls — as it did when he drained six threepointers against Canada in the World Cup opener — but, despite his veteran locker-room presence, his $14 million expiring contract will more than likely end up being used as a trade chip for the rebuilding Cavs.

RYAN BROEKHOFF Dallas Mavericks, Small forward, 29

MISSED the World Cup campaign for the birth of his first child. Year two in Dallas after a mature-age rookie season in which the Frankston native spent much of his time finding his feet. Coach Rick Carlisle appears a fan and, with an ability to drain threes at better than 40 per cent, Broekhoff will be an ideal marksman off the bench to aid star tandem Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis.

ISAAC HUMPHRIES Orlando Magic, Centre, 21

ONE of the feel-good stories, the towering Humphries was the NBL’s Rookie of the Year two years ago and had his first taste of the NBA playing five games with Atlanta Hawks last season. His form with the Erie Bayhawks in the GLeague caught the eye of Orlando Magic, which signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal.

DENG ADEL Brooklyn Nets, Small forward, 22

THE wiry South SudaneseAustralian has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Nets. While he’s a project, he has the frame and the will to be an elite defender, and he can get buckets with his ability to slash to the rim.