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This year's National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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 Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.