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

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves 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 aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.