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This year's NBA season starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. 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. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.