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The NBA season tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from 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

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected 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 development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.