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

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full steal per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

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