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The NBA season starts this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.