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This year's NBA season begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including 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

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old 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 improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels 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 highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start 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 consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.