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This year's NBA campaign begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays 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 mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.