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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian 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 highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes 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

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used 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 next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.