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This year's National Basketball Association season begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.