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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including experienced big men 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 lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. 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. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former 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

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

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 Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor 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 answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.