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The NBA campaign starts now, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, 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 the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign 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 year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays 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 on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start 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 play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.