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This year's NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked 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. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old 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 season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely 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 in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the 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 set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.