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This year's NBA campaign begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops stars – 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 the country's top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. 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.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players 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 aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

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

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.