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This year's NBA season starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including 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 protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, 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 allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor 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 answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.