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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

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

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues 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 important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

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

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.