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The National Basketball Association season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of the country's top athletic income generators.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for playing time across the NBA, including experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is cheap for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the 23-year-old enters this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last season, he observed as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago aim to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last season, and continue to enhance his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in the state following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per contest over 50 games in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the June draft down to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see much playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular minutes if the team become competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to allow his colleagues at the developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition opportunities in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

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 the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by Minnesota Timberwolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to earn playing time alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing another league deal.

Simmons' intentions is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, going fishing and using with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was retired, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.