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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills 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 MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season 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 subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam 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 invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

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 in the hunt. 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 resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.