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This year's National Basketball Association campaign begins now, signaling the initial occasion in a decade that Aussie two most prominent hoops stars – Ben Simmons and Patty Mills – are without a roster spot.

Their absence indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up as essential players for contending teams, with recently signed huge contracts making them some of the country's highest athletic income generators.

But they are not alone. Fourteen Australians are set to compete for minutes 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 Aiming to Show His Worth

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, the guard finally inked his rookie extension worth $100m ($153m) over four seasons last month. It’s a huge contract for the Melburnian, but in league standards it is cheap for Giddey’s position and profile as a lead playmaker. The reluctance for Chicago’s front office to pay top dollar means the young star enters this year with a point to make.

After being moved by Oklahoma City at the beginning of last campaign, he watched as his old team stormed to the title in his absence. As the Chicago 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 slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

Daniels agreed to the same deal as Giddey this week, and after his MIP honor last season, the Atlanta guard’s trajectory has taken off in the city following his exit from the Pelicans. He is now praised as one of the NBA's best defensive specialists, and led the league in steals with three per game – over one full takeaway per game greater than the tally of second place.

Performing next to dynamic Trae Young in the Hawks, the 22-year-old can be successful this season as a playmaking option and defensive stopper as long as the team advance to the postseason. But if he can elevate his long-range game, which was subpar last year, and continue to enhance his distribution and driving, Daniels could become one of the league’s most versatile talents.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Indiana forward the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in the state following a series of spectacular slam dunks in pre-season. His athletic displays led NBA personality Pat Beverley to describe him as the “best white dunker we’ve seen in a long time”, and an opportunity to the mid-season dunk contest could be a possibility.

Following logging just 8 mpg per game over 50 games in his debut season, the former college student is in the running for a Pacers lineup that might favor young players following setback to lead guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard the Sydney native dropped in the June draft all the way to the 49th pick, where Eastern Conference contenders Cleveland selected him. The Cavs are front-runners to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a rookie drafted in the late picks to see significant court time. But the Australian has seen time in pre-season, and his pro-level shooting offers him a chance to make an impact.

Playing Time Squeeze Looms for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned centre Jock Landale has a chance to claim the starting centre spot in Memphis given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the start of the campaign after a surgical procedure.

In the Trail Blazers, Duop Reath is the veteran backup to young centres Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, but could play regular action if the team become competitive. His teammate Matisse Thybulle is expected to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In the Hornets, Josh Green’s off-season shoulder surgery has left him without a timeline to return. The 24-year-old still has a contract for next season, but will not want to allow his teammates at the developing Charlotte too much advantage. And injury has already hindered Dante Exum, who has a knee complaint and has been absent for important exhibition chances in Dallas.

Aussie Hoopers Fighting for Roles

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, game action this year. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is returned in Minnesota, but appears to be little more than a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards in check.

Rookie Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their G-League team. Fellow rookies 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 earn minutes alongside Proctor for the Cavs.

Ben Simmons and Patty Mills Fish for a Deal

Should anyone question Mills was set to retire, he addressed it with a training clip posted on his social media recently, showing the 37-year-old is still in form and focused on landing another NBA contract.

What Simmons is thinking is uncertain after an off-season in Australia, going fishing and playing with a Sherrin. Although he posted on social media recently to reject rumors he was retired, the 29-year-old – an elite player as recently as 2021 – has not yet surface.