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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings 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 Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks 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 perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics 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 on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed 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 the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players 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 back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected 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 development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.