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The NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar 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 the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key 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. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with 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 addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.