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The National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest 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, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned 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 Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.