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The NBA campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening 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 see consistent minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important 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 season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

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 Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside Proctor 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 posted on his accounts recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.