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The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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 lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need 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

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic 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 elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League 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 hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.