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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play 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 discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign 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 develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

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

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

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 back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.