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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

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 praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

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 season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions 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 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.