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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off now, marking the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes 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 Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

After being moved by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, Giddey watched as his former squad charged to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need 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 year, the Hawks player's career 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 greater than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- college student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, 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 drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Other rookies 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 playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.