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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo 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 athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper 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 game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls 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 Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.