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The NBA season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues 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 chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.