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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, including 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led 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 slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team 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 resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.