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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

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 new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres 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 Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

Following playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss 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 play consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.