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The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters 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 set to compete for playing time 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, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances 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 season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies 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 aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.