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The NBA season begins now, marking the first time in a decade that Australia's two most prominent basketball stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as essential players for contending teams, with new huge contracts making them some of the country's top athletic earners.

But they are not alone. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete for minutes across the NBA, 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in NBA terms it is affordable for his role and reputation as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to offer a max deal means the young star begins this season with a point to make.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last season, he observed as his former squad charged to the title without him. As the Bulls look to make the playoffs in the less competitive Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey recently, and after his most-improved player award last year, 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 full steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a playmaking option and elite defender as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last year, and keep develop his passing and driving, he could become one of the association's most well-rounded talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers forward Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a succession of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His acrobatics prompted league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “top Caucasian leaper we’ve seen in a while”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be on the table.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers rotation that might lean towards young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker the Sydney native fell in the NBA Draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the NBA finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

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

In Portland, Duop Reath is the experienced reserve to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular minutes if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has resulted in him with no return date to return. The 24-year-old still has a deal for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Charlotte an excessive head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has been absent for important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win playing time alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Patty Mills was planning to end his career, he answered them with a training clip shared on his social media over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old remains sharp and determined on landing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an off-season in Australia, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.