NBA talking points: Simmons fights for future, Giddey dons fresh kit and the James family circus rolls on

The 2024/25 NBA season is finally upon us, with some major talking points dominating the off-season.

A host of the biggest names in basketball featured at Paris 2024, with the star-studded United States outfit again capturing the Olympic gold medal.

From there, plenty of the talk has been around a rare family alliance in Los Angeles, while from an Australian perspective there's two men generating plenty of water cooler talk once again.

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Wide World of Sports takes a look at the biggest talking points heading into the season.

Ben Simmons' future hangs in the balance

It's no secret that Ben Simmons has endured a tough stretch on and off the court, but the Australian star is fighting to save his career in 2024.

Last season, Simmons managed just 15 appearance for the Brooklyn Nets, continuing to struggle with a back injury that ultimately forced him to undergo surgery.

Simmons is entering the final year of a mammoth contract worth AUD $265 million and will hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.

While his salary will reduce significantly regardless of how he plays, Simmons won't exactly have rival franchises knocking down the door for his services if he is unable to stay healthy and make an impact on the court.

"F--- what happens next year, and what contract I get, if I get a contract," Simmons told The New York Post recently.

"I want to do my job while I'm here and be professional and help these guys in any way I can. So who knows? I want to play as long as my body will allow me. So if it's one year, five years, six years, I don't know what it is.

"I just want to keep going until I can't anymore."

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a solid pre-season with the Nets but did not feature in any of the team's warm-up games, instead biding his time before the campaign kicks off.

Simmons is expected to start the season at point-guard and if he can recapture the form that saw him earn All-Star status on three occasions, it could help them into the playoffs.

Giddey eyeing off Bulls success, fresh deal

The other big Aussie name set to star in the NBA this season is of course Josh Giddey - but the Melbourne product will be donning new colours.

Following a strong Olympic campaign for the Boomers, the 22-year-old has got to work with the Chicago Bulls in the pre-season and will certainly add class to their roster.

Giddey spent three seasons in Oklahoma City and started in 80 games last season before being traded by the Thunder in return for Alex Caruso.

His arrival in the Windy City comes in the midst of a roster rebuild but it's perhaps just as important for Giddey to shine from an individual perspective.

Chicago have yet to extend Giddey's contract and due to the deadline for NBA rookie deals already expiring, the Aussie will become a restricted free agent once the season finishes - but it's unlikely the six-time champions will let him walk away easily.

"Giddey represents the highest drafted player from the class of 2021 not to reach terms on a rookie extension," insider K.C. Johnson said on Chicago Sports Network.

"This merely means Giddey will be restricted free agent during a summer when not many teams are projected to have salary cap space. I would certainly expect them (to re-sign him) next off-season. You do not trade Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey to let him walk."

It has been reported that Giddey is seeking $45 million AUD per year on his next deal.

James family circus in Los Angeles

It's been the biggest story of the year from an American perspective and the circus surrounding Bronny James on the Lakers won't settle down any time soon.

The son of the legendary LeBron James was drafted to Los Angeles with the 55th pick, despite the general consensus from experts that he wasn't up to that level.

During his lone season with USC, the 20-year-old averaged less than five points per game and shot at 36.6 per cent from the field, which aren't stats that jump off the page.

Bronny played in the Las Vegas Summer League and failed to make a major impact, before featuring in the pre-season with the Lakers, taking the court alongside his dad.

His final game before the regular season begins saw Bronny finish with 17 points, four rebounds, three steals and an assist against the Golden State Warriors, but the circus around when he will take the court continues to linger.

Insiders have reported that Bronny could line up in the season opener, which could be a smart ploy from coach JJ Redick to avoid the noise hanging around any longer.

While following in the footsteps of arguably the greatest player in history won't be easy, LeBron isn't worried about the pressure and wants Bronny to forge his own path.

"You got to ask him," he replied to a reporter.

"That's a grown man. Ask him how he's handling it. And then we go from there. But he's a grown man. He's a professional. He can handle all this pressure himself. But we know why - good or bad why - the attention is here."

Celtics become the hunted

Jayson Tatum was already a proven winner before last season.

In Tatum's first six seasons, no NBA player won more games with one team than he did and during that tenure, he became a five-time All-Star, a four-time All-NBA pick and picked up an Olympic gold medal.

The only knock on Tatum was that he wasn't an NBA champion, but after a dominant 4-1 finals win over the Orlando Magic, all of that noise has subsided.

"I had to listen to all the [stuff] that people said about me," Tatum said.

"It was never just about trying to just win one. Now you get to be mentioned with - at least be in the same room with - the other Celtics great teams, great players. All the guys that I looked up to growing up at least won one championship.

"Now it's just a conversation of how great are you trying to be? What room or what tier are you trying to be mentioned in when it's all said and done?"

Boston are the favourites to go all the way again this season, but going from the hunters to the hunted is never an easy task and Tatum will need to stand up again if they are going to claim back-to-back trophies.

Lonzo Ball returns after 1000-day layoff

It has been an agonisingly long wait for Lonzo Ball, but the former No.2 overall draft pick is finally back on the court and enjoying himself in Chicago.

The 26-year-old played just one season with the Bulls before undergoing three knee operations that threatened to end his career before it ever reached its potential.

Ball was out of action for more than 1000 days before returning for a pre-season fixture and finishing with 10 points in 15 minutes on the court.

"I couldn't even put it into words how it felt being out there ... it was definitely a moment I'll never forget," Ball said.

"Getting the first surgery and then coming back, and then having the second and third, and telling me 18 more months recovery. You know that sounds crazy in the moment, but now I'm here, and it's all behind me now."

Ball's return could be one of the feel-good stories of the season if he can replicate the form he showed through college and during his early years in the league.

And what better way to cement that than by helping the Bulls in their rebuild alongside the likes of Giddey and Zach Lavine.