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The NBA season tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim 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 fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies 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 his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.