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This year's NBA campaign tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to show his shooting and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – over one whole steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His athletic displays prompted 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 on the table.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the NBA Draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then 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 appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate 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 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 shared on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and determined on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and using with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.