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The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, 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.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure 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 give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.