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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched 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 have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves 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 hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.