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The NBA campaign begins now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are teamless.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies 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 promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Chicago Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for Giddey’s position and reputation as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, he watched 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 demonstrate his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the same deal as Giddey recently, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his distribution and driving, he could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might favor youth following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the Blazers become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his teammates at the developing Hornets too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.