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The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from 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

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old 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 charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has taken off 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 steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season 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 below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss 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 see consistent action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer 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 give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot 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 posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.