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This year's NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have 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 same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality 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.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with 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 workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.