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The NBA campaign begins now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, 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 the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five 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 veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves 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 hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.