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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign 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 see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing 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 opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected 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 development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.