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The National Basketball Association season tips off this week, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Aussie 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 step up as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’s top athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. Fourteen Australians are expected to play for playing time around the league, including veteran centres Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted discussions with the Bulls, Giddey ultimately inked his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons recently. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in NBA terms it is cheap for his role and profile as a primary ball-handler. The reluctance for the Bulls management to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old enters this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his former squad stormed to the title without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the less competitive East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defensive skills are starter-worthy or else he may fall back towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

The guard signed the identical contract as his counterpart this week, and after his most-improved player award last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has skyrocketed in Atlanta following his exit from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – more than one full takeaway per game higher than the total of second place.

Playing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and elite defender as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep develop his passing and driving, Daniels could become one of the association's most versatile players.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led league figure Pat Beverley to label him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the All-Star dunk contest could be on the table.

After playing just eight minutes per game over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the ex- college player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavaliers are favourites to reach the Finals from the Eastern Conference, so it would be unusual for a first-year player drafted in the late picks to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has earned time in exhibition play, and his pro-level shooting gives him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Experienced Group

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a opportunity to claim the starting five spot in the Grizzlies given highly-touted Zach Edey will miss 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 see regular action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green's summer shoulder procedure 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 developing Hornets too much head start. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has missed key exhibition opportunities in the Mavericks.

Aussie Hoopers On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Other first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be hoping to earn minutes with Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media over the weekend, showing the veteran remains in form and focused on securing another league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and playing with a football. Although he posted on social media recently to deny rumors he was done, the former All-Star – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.