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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals 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.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres 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

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role 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 Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity 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 Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.