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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed 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 steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves 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 more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.