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The National Basketball Association season starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

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

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal 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 young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim 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 fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. 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 takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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 team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes 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 answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.