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The NBA campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position 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.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the total 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 elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

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 back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.