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The NBA season starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

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

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, 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 East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays 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 All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position 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 experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.