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The National Basketball Association season begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season 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 regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.