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The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play 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 discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

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

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. 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 left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key pre-season opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.