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The NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing 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 posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.