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The National Basketball Association campaign begins now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, 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 negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, 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 improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected 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 Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected 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 big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.