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The National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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 Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities 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 season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.