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

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to show his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led 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 dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

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

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.