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The NBA campaign starts 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.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed 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 affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks 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 topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel 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 while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening 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 see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Even though 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 not yet surface.