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The NBA season tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, 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 key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other 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 hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.