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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.

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

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely 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 big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.