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The NBA season starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ 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 earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally 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 affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow 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 aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.