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The NBA season tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms 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.

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

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

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

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. 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 left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.