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This year's National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new nine-figure contracts making them some of the country's top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. 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 beginning of last season, Giddey observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft down to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

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

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

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Even though he took to Instagram recently to deny suggestions he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.