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

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo 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. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, 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 improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular 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 invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker 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 the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed 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 experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.