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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged 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 elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option 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 season, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure 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 logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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 Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

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