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This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres 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

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe 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.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.