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

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, 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 young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged 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 fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season 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 find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed 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 development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.