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The NBA campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

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

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led 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 on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time 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 in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.