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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins now, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time around the league, ranging from 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

Following protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years 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 offer a max deal means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he observed 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 show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong 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 An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted 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 see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

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

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then 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 returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

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 slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn playing time with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

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 training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains in form and focused on landing one more league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he took to social media last month to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.