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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie pair of most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation 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 start of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole takeaway per game greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted 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 playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used 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 contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.