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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with 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 addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.