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The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time 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 Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension 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 cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, 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 agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole steal per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option 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 keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains in form and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season 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 All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.