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The National Basketball Association season starts now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – 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 step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including 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 protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons 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 pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with his compatriot 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 training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.