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

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills 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 year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender 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 driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action 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 player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow 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 earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.