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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one whole steal per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players 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 hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.