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

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time 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 Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label 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 logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than 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 Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.