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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’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 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.