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The National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, 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 indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres 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

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal 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 year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive 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

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted 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 on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

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

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.