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The National Basketball Association campaign tips off this week, signaling the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are unsigned.

Their absence indicates a transition period, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for playing time around the league, including experienced big men 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

Following lengthy discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his new deal worth $100m (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for the Bulls management 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, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks player's career has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with three per game – more than one full steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this season as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was below league average last season, and keep develop his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following playing just eight minutes per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- college player is in the running for a Indiana rotation that might favor young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss the opening of the campaign after ankle surgery.

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 find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

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

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip shared on his accounts recently, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Even though he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.