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The National Basketball Association campaign starts now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change signals a changing of the guard, 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 Australia’s highest 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 promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in steals with three per game – more than one full takeaway per match higher than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and continue to develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging 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 favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to contribute.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his colleagues at the developing Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies 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 minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on securing one more NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he took to Instagram recently to reject suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.