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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign 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 consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies 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 earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.