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This year's National Basketball Association season tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) 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 Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence 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 his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. 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 a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs 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 playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves 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 procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.