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This year's NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates 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 sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels 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 the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

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

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.