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The NBA campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. 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. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel 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 opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.