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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of 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 essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes 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 Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta 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 takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

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 back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players 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 hoping to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.