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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two 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 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 expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role 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 the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana 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 picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, 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 seen time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.