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The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's career has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – 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 effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Experienced Group

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot 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 experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, 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 developing Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question 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 focused on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.