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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back 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 Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies 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 aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.