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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie two most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – over one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular 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 invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked 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 significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still in form and focused on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.