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The National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players 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 aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.