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This year's National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest 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 contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks 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 driving, he 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 the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities 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 season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.