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The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.