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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

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

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are expected to play 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 protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off 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 takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

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 workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.