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The NBA campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. 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 Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off 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 – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect 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 action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.