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The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men 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 Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured 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 hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing 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 surface.