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The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

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

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.