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This year's NBA season tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, 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 the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label 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.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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 Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.