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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo 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 sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men 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

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

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