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This year's NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men 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

Following lengthy negotiations 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 huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

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

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label 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.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make 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 pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important 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 returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the 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

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.