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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back 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 year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper 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 attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players 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 with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing another league deal.

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