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This year's National Basketball Association season begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.