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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure 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 – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, 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 enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed 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 return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.