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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, 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 top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his departure 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 higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster 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 develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.