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The National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label 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 logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

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 back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.