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The NBA campaign tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting income generators.

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

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening 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 play consistent action if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem 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 a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.