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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves 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 aiming to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.