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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’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, up-and-coming forwards 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 Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing 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 advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.