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This year's NBA season tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from 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 lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level 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 most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure 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 a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, 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 ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.