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The National Basketball Association season tips off now, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster 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 three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label 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 logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte 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.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured 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 experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.