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The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance 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 the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players 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 earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.