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This year's NBA season begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. 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

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper 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 continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure 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 playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players 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 aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

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, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.