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The National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, 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 elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana 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 long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.