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This year's National Basketball Association season begins now, marking the initial occasion in a ten years that Australia's pair of most prominent hoops 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 emerge as key starters for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of Australia’s top sporting earners.

They aren't the only ones. A group of 14 Aussies are set to compete 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 intriguing rookies like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

After protracted discussions with the Bulls, the guard finally signed his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four years last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards 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 23-year-old begins this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the start of last season, Giddey watched as his old team charged to the title without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker Eastern Conference, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are elite-level or else he may slide towards the NBA’s fringe.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the identical contract as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Hawks guard’s trajectory has taken off in Atlanta following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – more than one full steal per match higher than the tally of second place.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, 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 A Dunking Sensation

Indiana wing Furphy has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a series of spectacular dunks in exhibition games. His acrobatics 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 playing just 8 mpg per game over 50 appearances in his debut season, the ex- Maribyrnong College player is in contention for a Indiana lineup that might favor young players following injury to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls Cleveland picked him. The Cavaliers are front-runners to reach the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie taken in the second round to see significant playing minutes. But the Australian has seen time in exhibition play, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a chance to make an impact.

Minutes Crunch Looms for Experienced Group

Veteran big man Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting five position in Memphis given highly-touted Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In Portland, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to youthful big men Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team find themselves in the hunt. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark off the bench.

In the Hornets, Josh Green's off-season shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but won’t want to give his teammates at the developing Hornets an excessive head start. And a physical issue has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed important pre-season opportunities in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are unlikely to see a lot of, if any, game action this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in the Timberwolves, but appears to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rocco Zikarsky is likely to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Other 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 hoping to win minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavaliers.

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 shared on his social media over the weekend, demonstrating the veteran is still sharp and determined on securing one more league deal.

What Simmons is thinking is anyone’s guess after an break in his homeland, angling and playing with a Sherrin. Even though he posted on Instagram last month to deny rumors he was done, the 29-year-old – an All Star as recently as 2021 – has yet to surface.