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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men 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 discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract 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 begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender 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 passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected 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 aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.