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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

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 Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam 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 invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.