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

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings 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 Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards 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 Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, 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 keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed 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 slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.