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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart 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 lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality 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 on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre 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 season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

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 the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.