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This year's NBA season begins now, signaling the first time in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top sporting income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes around the league, ranging from veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, emerging wings in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m (A$153 million) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with much to prove.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, he observed as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls aim to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to show his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the same deal as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per game greater than the total of the runner-up.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his passing and attacking, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers forward the rookie has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in the running for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavs are favourites to reach the NBA finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player taken in the second round to see much court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting offers him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see consistent action if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for the upcoming year, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important pre-season chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with 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 addressed it with a workout video shared on his social media recently, demonstrating the 37-year-old is still sharp and determined on securing one more NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a football. Even though he posted on social media last month to reject rumors he was retired, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.