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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest athletic 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, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After lengthy discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the team become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to come back. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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 Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran remains in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a football. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.