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The NBA season starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from 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

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper 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 enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.