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The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops 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 key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option 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 season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.