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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 names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing 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 Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, 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 expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.