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The National Basketball Association season begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss 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 see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. 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 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 teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.