Two big stars are gone but Australia's influence on NBA rosters is only getting stronger

An impressive 14 Australians enter the 2025-2026 NBA season under contract around the league.

However, two notable exceptions are Patty Mills and Ben Simmons, at this stage.

Mills appears done with the NBA, having taken a job at the University of Hawaii in their basketball program.

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The 37-year-old became the first Aussie to play 1000 games in the NBA and has had a storied career on the biggest stages both in the US and for the Boomers.

But after a season with the Clippers where he played just 12 games and was limited to being a veteran presence for the team, he seems to have moved on.

Simmons' case appears a little more complex. After making three consecutive All-Star rosters between 2019 and 2021, back issues and a lack of confidence completely derailed his ascent.

He played a depth role with the Clippers last season, but has been weighing up retirement after reportedly being lukewarm on an NBA return.

Despite their absences, Australia still has key role players around the league.

The big two are of course Josh Giddey with Chicago and Dyson Daniels with Atlanta.

Both players signed $154m extensions over the break to put themselves behind Simmons only in total career NBA earnings by Australians, surpassing the likes of Mills, Joe Ingles and Andrew Bogut.

Giddey had a breakout second half of the season with the Bulls. He shot a career high three-point percentage and excelled as a passer and playmaker.

In a weakened Eastern Conference, Giddey has a chance to earn his first All-Star appearance and potentially lead the Bulls to the playoffs.

Daniels meanwhile is fresh off winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award and finishing on the podium for Defensive Player of the Year.

The Hawks are expected to be among the top teams in the East, in part because of Daniels' breakout as one of the best defenders in the NBA.

Dante Exum returns to the Dallas Mavericks, while Matisse Thybulle and Duop Reath return to the Portland Trailblazers.

Exum will have a good opportunity to play early on in the season, as Kyrie Irving rehabs a torn ACL.

But the name to watch is Johnny Furphy in Indiana. Furphy has grabbed headlines over the off-season for some incredible dunks in pre-season and Summer League and will likely play a big role for the Pacers in his second season in the league.

The Victorian born wing will hopefully earn a regular role in Indiana this season following the injury to Tyrese Haliburton.

Josh Green's start to the season in Charlotte will be delayed by a shoulder injury that has sidelined him, at this stage, indefinitely. The Aussie wing is not a perfect fit on a young Hornets side and could be a trade candidate.

Then there's Jock Landale, who was signed by Memphis after being let go by Houston. The centre is in a great spot with the Grizzlies, given the injuries around him. There's every chance he could play some serious minutes particularly while Zach Eddy is sidelined.

Joe Ingles has returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves and will continue his role as a veteran bench presence. He'll also have the chance to mentor young Aussie Rocco Zikarsky.

The 221cm giant was drafted in the second round and will likely spend most of the season developing in the G-League.

Similarly, young Cleveland guard Tyrese Proctor will probably spend time in the G-League given the Cavs have a roster set on contending and are stacked at the guard position with Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Lonzo Ball.

Teammate and fellow Aussie Luke Travers enters his second season with the Cavaliers and will also largely feature in the G-League.

Then there's Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago) and Alex Toohey (Golden State), who will also earn opportunities across the season.

Clearly, there is a new generation of Aussies spread across the NBA. Ingles is really the last remaining face from the Boomers core that dominated much of the 21st century, including the likes of Mills, Bogut, Aron Baynes and Matthew Dellavedova.

Daniels and Giddey are now the standout players, while the likes of Furphy, Zikarsky and Proctor will look to earn their minutes.

It looms as a huge season with an eye towards the 2027 FIBA World Cup. The Boomers roster is currently wide open and opportunities are there to be grabbed.