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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions 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 league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average 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 Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure 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 on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss 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 Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.