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This year's NBA season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year 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 without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

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 Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls 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 Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.