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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back 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 Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old 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 subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening 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 see consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.