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The NBA campaign begins this week, marking the first time in a ten years that Aussie pair of biggest basketball names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest sporting income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with much to prove.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, he watched as his former squad stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels signed the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and keep enhance his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays 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 logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the second round to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

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

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent minutes if the team become in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder procedure has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Charlotte an excessive advantage. 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 a lot of, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other 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 Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, demonstrating the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another NBA contract.

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