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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including 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 Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies 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 win minutes alongside 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 answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.