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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off 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 steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.