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This year's NBA season tips off this week, signaling the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence signals a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for playoff aspirants, with new huge contracts making them some of Australia’s highest sporting earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play for minutes around the league, 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 Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy discussions with the Chicago Bulls, the guard ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by the Thunder at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls aim to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will need to show his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his most-improved player award last year, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – more than one whole takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the association's most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in the state following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. 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.

After playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might lean towards young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard Proctor fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be unusual for a rookie taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has earned time in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Veteran centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will miss the start of the season after ankle surgery.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent action if the team find themselves competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is likely to be deployed as a defensive specialist in a reserve role.

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 next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for key exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a mentor keeping Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video shared on his accounts recently, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in his homeland, angling and using with a football. Although he posted on social media last month to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.