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The NBA season begins now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

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

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring 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 identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe 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.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot 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 workout video posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.