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The NBA campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, 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 lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one whole steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option 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 association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.