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The NBA campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look 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 fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel 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 invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears 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 G-League team. Fellow rookies 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 hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

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, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.