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This year's NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led 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 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.