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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with a point to make.

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 Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, 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 seen time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.