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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

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

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start 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 play regular action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.