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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate 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 win minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.