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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor young players 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 Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies 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 aiming to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.