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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off now, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time 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 lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) 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. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA 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 Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other 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 earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran 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, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.