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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per game greater than the total of second place.

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 advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected 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 drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist 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 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow 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 earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.