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The NBA campaign starts this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season 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 driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted 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 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

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

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected 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 come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow 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 hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, showing the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.