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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.