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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) 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 profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s career has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole steal per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and continue to develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing one more 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 took to social media recently to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.