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The NBA season begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons 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 primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker 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 Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker 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 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, 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 teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

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 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.