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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change 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 nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

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

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city 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 three per game – over one whole steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening 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 consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

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 sharp and focused on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Although he took to social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.