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The National Basketball Association campaign begins now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the total 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 make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe 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 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.