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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge 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 minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.