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The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, 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 continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality 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 a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.