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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade 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 step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender 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 continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA 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 pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre 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 experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.