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This year's NBA season tips off now, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls 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 Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.