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The NBA season tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top 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 intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong 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

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.