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This year's NBA campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defence 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 Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre 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 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 regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.