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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label 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 playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening 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 action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players 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 aiming to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.