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This year's NBA season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’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 perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League 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 win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing 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 took to social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.