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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics 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 slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago 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 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 addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.