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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent hoops 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 step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres 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 protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers 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 Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he took to Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.