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This year's NBA campaign begins now, signaling 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 emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play 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 rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful 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 season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers 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 second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action 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 summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time 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 workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.