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This year's National Basketball Association campaign starts this week, marking the initial occasion in a decade that Australia's two biggest hoops names – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

This change signals a changing of the guard, as Australian guard pair Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed nine-figure contracts establishing them as some of the country's highest athletic earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are expected to play 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 intriguing draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following lengthy negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is affordable for his role and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the 23-year-old begins this season with much to prove.

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

Dyson Daniels Targets Further Growth

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as his counterpart recently, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s career has taken off in the city following his departure from the Pelicans. He is now lauded as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in takeaways with 3.0 spg – over one whole steal per match greater than the total of second place.

Performing next to flamboyant 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 team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and continue to enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy On Highlight Watch

Pacers wing Furphy has emerged as a fan favourite in Indiana following a series of highlight-reel dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays prompted NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a while”, and an opportunity to the All-Star slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 appearances in his debut season, the former college student is in contention for a Indiana rotation that might favor youth following injury to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor An Outside Shot

Guard the Sydney native fell in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders the Cavaliers selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player taken in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Sydney product has seen minutes in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting centre spot in the Grizzlies 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 young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play consistent minutes if the Blazers find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive specialist off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season 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 rebuilding Charlotte too much head start. And a physical issue has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Additionally, there are those who are unlikely to see much, if any, court time this season. Veteran Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but seems to be little more than a big brother ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by Minnesota Timberwolves through their G-League team. Other rookies Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Warriors are also in the slow cooker, while the experienced Luke Travers will be aiming to win minutes alongside his compatriot for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Seeking Contracts

Should anyone question Mills was planning to end his career, he addressed it with a workout video posted on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an break in Australia, going fishing and using with a football. Although he took to social media last month to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has yet to return to the league.