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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops names – 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 essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

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

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard 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 Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players 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 Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked 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 late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.