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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

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

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.