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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres 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 Out to Prove Himself

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker East, he will need to show his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the total 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 three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

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

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

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

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 slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.