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The NBA season starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete 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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning 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 have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. 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 higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.