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This year's NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, 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

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.