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The NBA season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – 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 playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards 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, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team 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 without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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 slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot 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 accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.