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The NBA campaign tips off now, signaling the first time in a decade that Aussie two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a transition period, as Boomers’ backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally inked his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and reputation as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks player's trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the former college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA 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 time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start 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 play consistent action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League 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 win playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains sharp and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.