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The NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana 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 long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted 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 play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players 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 returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.