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The National Basketball Association season starts now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

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

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.