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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look 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 signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season 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 continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.