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The NBA season begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

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 making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other 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 hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing 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 social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.