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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks 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 defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. 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 well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action 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 Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, 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

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.