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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair 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 athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men 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

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite 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 Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round 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 Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre 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 ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.