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The NBA campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup 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 expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

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 social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.