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This year's NBA campaign starts now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

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

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he observed as his old team stormed to the NBA championship in his absence. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defensive skills are elite-level or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, he could become one of the league’s most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward the rookie has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in the running for a Indiana lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker Proctor fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the NBA finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has earned minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting centre position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's off-season shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to come back. The player still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to allow his colleagues at the rebuilding Hornets an excessive head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key pre-season chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

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 Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing another NBA contract.

Simmons' intentions is uncertain after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on Instagram recently to deny rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.