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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has taken off in Atlanta 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 three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

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 social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.