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The National Basketball Association season starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, 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 protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam 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 mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

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 Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.