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The National Basketball Association season begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks 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 topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start 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 regular minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

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 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.