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This year's NBA season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.