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The NBA season tips off this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for 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 consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves 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 hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.