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This year's NBA season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular 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 the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with 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 workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.