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The National Basketball Association campaign begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, 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 agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off 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 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League 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 aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.