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The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal 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 offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, 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 Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career 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 topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, 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 problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.