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The NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from 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

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow 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 with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.