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This year's NBA campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – over one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep 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 crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

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

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.