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The NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted 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 dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected 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 come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.