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The NBA campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards 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 much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. 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 association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.