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The NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label 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.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players 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 hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.