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This year's NBA season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show 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 identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.