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The NBA season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways 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 Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate 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

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.