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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic 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 long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.