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The NBA campaign begins now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Chicago aim 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 agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping 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 experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.