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This year's NBA season starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option 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 year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded 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 highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player 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 left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.