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The NBA campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season 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 subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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 team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.