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

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from 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 Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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 little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

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