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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair 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 around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms 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 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence 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 Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, 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 Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.