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The National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two biggest basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for playing time across the NBA, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for the Bulls management to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last season, Giddey watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Chicago aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full steal per game higher than the total of the runner-up.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be a possibility.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five spot in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the Blazers become in the hunt. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The player still has a deal for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and focused on landing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he took to Instagram recently to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.