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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he 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 crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics 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 on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, 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 chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other 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 win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.