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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

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

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other 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 hoping to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.