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The National Basketball Association season tips off now, signaling 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 indicates a changing of the guard, as Australian backcourt duo Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels step up 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. Fourteen Australians 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 draftees like Tyrese Proctor and Rocco Zikarsky.

Josh Giddey Out to Prove Himself

Following protracted negotiations with the Bulls, Giddey finally signed his new deal worth US$100 million (A$153 million) over four seasons last month. It's a major deal for the Melbourne native, 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 begins this year with much to prove.

Having been traded by Oklahoma City at the start of last campaign, he watched as his old team charged to the NBA championship without him. As the Bulls look to reach the postseason in the weaker East, he will have to demonstrate his scoring and defence are starter-worthy or else he may slide towards the league's outskirts.

Dyson Daniels Eyes Another Step

The guard signed the same deal as his counterpart this week, and after his MIP honor last year, the Atlanta player's career has skyrocketed in the city following his departure from the New Orleans. He is now praised as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders, and led the league in steals with 3.0 spg – over one full takeaway per match greater than the tally of the runner-up.

Playing next to flamboyant Trae Young in Atlanta, the youngster can be effective this campaign as a secondary ballhandler and defensive stopper as long as the Hawks advance to the postseason. But if he can improve his three-point shooting, which was below league average last season, and keep enhance his distribution and attacking, Daniels could become one of the league’s most well-rounded players.

Johnny Furphy A Dunking Sensation

Pacers wing the rookie has emerged as a crowd favorite in Indiana following a succession of highlight-reel dunks in exhibition games. 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 mid-season slam dunk competition could be a possibility.

After logging just 8 mpg per contest over 50 games in his rookie campaign, the former Maribyrnong College student is in contention for a Pacers lineup that might favor youth following setback to star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.

Tyrese Proctor A Long-Range Threat

Guard Proctor dropped in the June draft all the way to the second round, where playoff hopefuls the Cavaliers picked him. The Cavs are favourites to make the Finals from the East, so it would be rare for a first-year player drafted in the second round to see much court time. But the Sydney product has earned minutes in pre-season, and his NBA-ready shot gives him a opportunity to contribute.

Playing Time Squeeze Ahead for Veteran Quintet

Seasoned big man Jock Landale has a chance to secure the starting five position in the Grizzlies given top prospect Zach Edey will be out for the opening of the season after a surgical procedure.

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 team find themselves competitive. His fellow player Matisse Thybulle is likely to be used as a defensive spark in a reserve role.

In Charlotte, Josh Green’s summer shoulder surgery has left him with no return date to come back. The player still has a contract for next season, but will not want to give his teammates at the rebuilding Hornets too much head start. And injury has already slowed Dante Exum, who has a knee problem and has missed key exhibition chances in the Mavericks.

Australian NBA Players On the Fringe

Then there are those who are not expected to see much, if any, court time this season. Thirty-eight-year-old Joe Ingles is back in the Timberwolves, but seems to be primarily a mentor ensuring Anthony Edwards focused.

Rocco Zikarsky is expected to be developed by the Wolves through their affiliate team. Fellow first-year players Lachlan Olbrich in the Bulls and Alex Toohey for the Golden State Warriors are also in the development pipeline, while the experienced 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 Patty Mills was set to retire, he answered them with a workout video shared on his social media recently, showing the veteran is still in form and determined on landing another NBA contract.

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