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The NBA campaign begins this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the title in his absence. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per game greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this season 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 keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards youth following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

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

In the Hornets, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor 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 social media recently, showing the 37-year-old remains in form and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.