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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two biggest hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo 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 top sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening 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 regular action 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 the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured 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 Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.