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This year's National Basketball Association season starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular 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 while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

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 returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players 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 aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.