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The NBA season starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, 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

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring 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 Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers 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 position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies 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 earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.