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The National Basketball Association season tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look 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 fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League 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 alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.