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The NBA campaign begins this week, 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 Boomers’ guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as key starters for contending teams, with new huge contracts establishing them as some of Australia’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, ranging from experienced big men Jock Landale and Duop Reath, up-and-coming forwards in Johnny Furphy and Josh Green, to promising rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his rookie extension worth US$100 million ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melbourne native, but in league standards it is affordable for Giddey’s position and profile as a primary ball-handler. Hesitation for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with much to prove.

After being moved by the Thunder at the beginning of last campaign, Giddey watched as his old team stormed to the NBA championship without him. As the Chicago look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will need to demonstrate his shooting and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta player's trajectory has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the NBA's best perimeter defenders, and topped the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per game higher than the tally of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks make the playoffs. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was subpar last season, and keep enhance his passing and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Indiana forward Furphy has burst onto the scene as a fan favourite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel slam dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics led league figure Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an invite to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just eight minutes per game over 50 appearances in his rookie campaign, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might lean towards young players following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Playmaker Proctor dropped in the June draft down to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers 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 late picks to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned time 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 secure the starting centre position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after ankle surgery.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could see regular action if the Blazers find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is expected to be deployed as a defensive spark off the bench.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder procedure has left him without a timeline to return. The player still has a deal for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets too much advantage. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Australian NBA Players Fighting for Roles

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, court time this year. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be little more than a big brother keeping Anthony Edwards focused.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be nurtured by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in Chicago and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the more seasoned Luke Travers will be aiming to earn minutes with his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

If there were any doubts Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his accounts over the weekend, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing one more 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 last month to reject suggestions he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has not yet return to the league.