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The NBA campaign starts now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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.

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, 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 Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence 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 year, 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 led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.