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The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men 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

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

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 Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. 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 whole takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players 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 minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.