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The NBA season begins now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, 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 improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis 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 youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other 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 aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.